Saudi, Italian Defense Ministers Discuss Military Cooperation
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held on Tuesday a telephone call with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto to discuss military and defense cooperation between their countries and ways to develop them.
They also reviewed the latest developments in the region and efforts to support regional and international security and stability.
Saudi Crown Prince Receives Syrian President in Riyadh for Talks on Boosting Relations
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Riyadh on Tuesday Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa for talks bilateral relations.
They tackled prospects for cooperation between their two countries, as well as promising opportunities to boost cooperation across various fields. They also discussed the latest developments in the region.
Attending the meeting were Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Secretary to the Crown Prince Dr. Bandar bin Obaid Al-Rasheed, and Advisor at the Royal Court Khalid bin Farid Hadrawi.
Also present were Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Al-Shaibani and Chargé d'Affaires of the Syrian Embassy in Riyadh Mohsen Mahbash.
Al-Sharaa had arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier on Tuesday on an official visit.
Saudi Crown Prince Donates Blood, Launches Annual Donation Campaign for 2026
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, donated blood on Tuesday, launching the annual national blood donation campaign for 2026.
The generous humanitarian gesture reflects his continued focus on humanitarian work and improving community health. It also reflects his ongoing support for national initiatives that promote a culture of giving and volunteering and encourage community members to help save lives.
The Crown Prince’s donation conveys an inspiring national and humanitarian message, reflecting the values of mutual support and solidarity that underpin Saudi society. It underscores the importance of taking the initiative to donate blood. This noble humanitarian act helps save lives and support patients while promoting a culture of volunteering and giving in the community, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of regular voluntary blood donation, reinforce the principle of social responsibility, and help achieve self-sufficiency in blood and its components.
Blood donation is one of the most important humanitarian acts that help save the lives of patients, including those who need emergency medical care, have cancer or blood disorders, or are in critical condition.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, launched on Tuesday the annual national blood donation campaign for 2026. (SPA)
The campaign builds on the wise leadership’s continued support for humanitarian and health initiatives and its efforts to strengthen community participation. It helps increase voluntary blood donation rates and supports the health system’s efforts to provide safe, sustainable supplies of blood and its components, ensuring that patients’ treatment needs are met across the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia continues to make notable progress in promoting a culture of voluntary blood donation. More than 900,000 people donated blood in 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to increase voluntary donations and make the national blood supply more sustainable.
These efforts align with the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program and Saudi Vision 2030 for a vibrant society whose members enjoy better health and quality of life.
The annual national blood donation campaign launched by the Crown Prince in 2025 had a broad impact on health and society. It helped quadruple the number of donors, with more than 65,000 people donating - the highest total in the history of the Kingdom.
The voluntary donation rate reached 100%, and more than 85% of donors were new. More than 63,000 people benefited from donated blood, 10,000 from platelets, and 10,000 from plasma.
ASEAN ‘Khair Ummah’ Conference Condemns Houthi Attacks on Makkah and Madinah
Participants at the fourth international conference of ASEAN countries, “Khair Ummah,” condemned on Tuesday the Houthi militia’s launch of drones and missiles toward Makkah and Madinah and its targeting of civilian sites in Saudi Arabia.
ASEAN rejected the Houthi’s actions saying it threaten Islamic holy sites and the safety of civilians.
In the conference’s final statement, the participants denounced what they said are criminal acts targeting Muslim holy sites and civilian targets in Saudi Arabia.
The statement praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote unity and strengthen solidarity by hosting and supporting the conference, emphasizing its role in serving Islam and Muslims and promoting a moderate and balanced approach.
Participants called for moderation, tolerance and efforts to counter extremism, saying such values help build safe and stable societies.
The final statement said Islam rejects injustice, aggression and terrorism, and called on scholars and preachers to promote sound Islamic teachings and tolerant values, including through modern technology and artificial intelligence.
Participants also called for continued cooperation among scholars and Islamic institutions in ASEAN countries to counter extremism and promote unity.
The Cambodia-hosted conference was organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.
It brought together about 130 scholars, researchers and Islamic figures from Saudi Arabia and ASEAN countries for eight sessions on Muslim unity, moderation and cooperation.
