Saudi Arabia welcomes progress under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement

According to Saudi Arabia's official news agency SPA, the Council of Ministers, convened under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, evaluated the work carried out within the scope of the agreement.

The Council of Ministers expressed its satisfaction with the progress made in establishing the general secretariat of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement and the establishment of related committees and working groups.

The Board also welcomed the steps taken at the meetings of foreign ministers and chiefs of staff to strengthen the coordination and integration between the three countries and to transform the commitments in the agreement into military cooperation that will support common deterrence and collective defense.

Emphasis on the safety of maritime transportation

The Council of Ministers also welcomed the UN Security Council's condemnation of the Iran-backed Houthis' ongoing attacks on Saudi Arabian and commercial ships, threatening the security of shipping in the Red Sea and the Babulmandeb Strait, and undermining peace efforts in Yemen.

The Board emphasized the importance of preserving freedom of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and Babulmandeb, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Stating that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz should return to the situation before February 28, when the USA and Israel started the war against Iran, the Board called for no fees or restrictions to be imposed on these passages.

The Board stated that, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions, it rejects the use of these vital waterways as a means of pressure or threat, or to harm the interests of countries.