LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister on Tuesday defended his country’s “just” war in Yemen, on the eve of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s controversial visit to Britain.
“They criticize us for a war in Yemen that we did not want, that was imposed on us,” Adel Al-Jubeir told BBC Radio 4.
“They criticize us for a war in Yemen that is a just war, that is supported by international law,” he added.
Turning to Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” plan to diversify its oil-reliant economy, Al-Jubeir said that Britain would be a major beneficiary.
“After Brexit, there will be huge opportunities for Britain as a result of Vision 2030,” he told the BBC.
The Saudi Crown Prince is expected in London on Wednesday following his visit to Egypt earlier this week, and before a trip to the United States from March 19 to 22.
Saudi Arabia defends ‘just’ Yemen war ahead of UK visit
Saudi Arabia defends ‘just’ Yemen war ahead of UK visit
Saudi Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent over contract violations
- Company failed to provide accommodation for a number of Umrah pilgrims, despite these services being documented in the contractual programs, ministry says
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday announced the suspension of an Umrah company and its overseas agent for failing to provide accommodation services for pilgrims in line with approved contractual programs.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the company’s failure constitutes a clear violation of regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.
It noted that a number of pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom without secured accommodation, despite these services being documented in the contractual programs.
This prompted immediate regulatory action against the company and its overseas agent under the established legal frameworks, the ministry said.
"The measures are intended to safeguard the rights of affected pilgrims, prevent a recurrence of such violations, and ensure the continued enhancement of service quality," it added.
Last June, the ministry suspended seven Umrah companies due to deficiencies in providing transport services to pilgrims.
In an earlier report quoting the Hajj Ministry and the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, SPA said more than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during Jumada Al Akhira alone.
Also referred to as Jumada Al Thani, Jumada Al Akhira is the sixth month of the Islamic calendar. For Hijri year 1447, this sixth month ended on December 20, 2025 in the Gregorian calendar.
More than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during Jumada Al Akhira alone. (SPA)
