JEDDAH: The Saudi Cabinet has reiterated the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its national security, preserving stability, and ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens and residents.
The Cabinet session, chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, held in Jeddah on Tuesday, also praised the advanced capabilities of the armed forces in defending the homeland and safeguarding its assets and resources, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that its air defences intercepted and destroyed three drones that entered the Kingdom’s airspace from Iraqi territory.
Defence ministry spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki stressed that the Ministry of Defence reserves the right to respond “at the appropriate time and place” to any threat targeting the Kingdom’s sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens and residents on its territory.
He further added that Saudi Arabia would take all necessary operational measures to confront any attempt to violate its airspace or endanger the safety of citizens and residents.
Saudi cabinet reviews Hajj arrangements
Meanwhile, the Cabinet also reviewed the progress of preparations for the 2026 Hajj season and the achievements of the Pilgrim Experience Programme.
Discussions highlighted ongoing coordination among government entities and efforts to enhance services for pilgrims through the strategic deployment of human, technological, and organisational resources across Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites, ensuring operational readiness and providing the highest levels of comfort and care for pilgrims from within the Kingdom and abroad.
The Cabinet commended the Ministry of Interior and other government agencies, as well as the Supreme Hajj Committee, for their continued efformts in facilitating the arrival of pilgrims to the Grand Mosque through the Makkah Route Initiative, now in its eighth consecutive year.
The initiative has benefited over 1.2 million pilgrims to date, expanding to 10 countries and 17 international entry points, reflecting the Kingdom’s dedication to improving the quality of services for all pilgrims.
The Cabinet was also briefed on the two phone calls of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman with the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during which they discussed areas of cooperation and addressed regional and international developments aimed at strengthening security and stability in the region.
The Cabinet also expressed its support for the outcomes of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Interior Ministers’ emergency meeting held in Riyadh, which reaffirmed that Gulf security is indivisible and emphasised the importance of enhancing coordination to address ongoing challenges and developments in the region.
