Saudi cabinet hails defence deal, MBS, Erdogan and PM Shehbaz

The Saudi cabinet on Tuesday welcomed the results of a trilateral meeting with Turkiye and Pakistan, saying it will aid in establishing a long-term defence alliance between the three nations.

The session, headed by King Salman in Jeddah, expressed its thanks for the efforts of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the “Makkah Summit for Common Defense”.

The cabinet said the summit’s results would assist to further coordinate and integrate Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan and together act to solve regional concerns and promote international security and stability.

On regional issues, the cabinet said Saudi Arabia was working with ally countries to promote de-escalation measures and diplomatic solutions, while respecting states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The exercise also highlighted the significance of securing the waterways in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb as a crucial pillar for global economic stability.

The cabinet appreciated the statement issued by the members of the UN Security Council denouncing attacks and acts carried out by Yemen’s Houthi militia which undermine regional security and freedom of navigation.

It reiterated Saudi Arabia’s right to protect its security and capabilities and reaffirmed its support for Yemen’s internationally recognised government and UN efforts to reach peace and stability in the country.

On the Palestinian question, the Cabinet referred to actions proposed at a ministerial conference in Amman supporting Jerusalem and its sacred sites.

It repeated Saudi Arabia’s rejection of any attempt to change the legal and historical status or identity of Jerusalem, and urged the international community to end Israeli abuses in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, preserve holy sites and support the Palestinian people.