NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, Dr. Khaled Manzlawiy, delivered a speech condemning all terrorist acts and attacks on religious sites on Thursday, as the UN launched its Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites. Manzlawiy also stressed the Kingdom’s support for the UN’s new plan, and thanked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and High Representative of the Alliance of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Jorge Sampaio for launching it.
“This initiative comes at a sensitive time in light of the increasing attacks on places of worship and the desecration of these places of worship. These are terrorist acts that require us to take a serious stand and to confront these practices and (any) acts that fuel terrorism and spread hatred, practices of injustice and civilizational clash,” he added.
Manzlawiy stressed that the Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites is a positive step toward promoting noble values, building bridges of love and peace, sanctioning all those who violate holy sites, and providing security for places of worship.
He added that the Kingdom has extensive experience of protecting religious sites and spreading peace and tolerance, calling Saudi Arabia “a pioneer in this field.”
Manzlawiy said that Allah has given the Kingdom the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
“Millions of pilgrims from around the world gather in the Kingdom throughout the year, making it the leader in protecting religious sites and managing huge crowds, who speak different languages and come from different cultures, in a small space,” Manzlawiy said.
He added that different beliefs, cultures, and ways of thinking are “a divine destiny that God has decreed,” and stressed the importance of dealing with them “with reason and wisdom in order to spread a culture of tolerance and peace among different nations and peoples.”
The Saudi deputy permanent representative underscored the Kingdom’s belief that religious and cultural diversity between communities and peoples never justifies a clash, but “calls for action to establish dialogue and peace.”
Saudi Arabia condemns terrorist acts, attacks on places of worship
Saudi Arabia condemns terrorist acts, attacks on places of worship
- Saudi envoy calls for action to establish dialogue, peace
Saudi Arabia intercepts more drones over the kingdom, UK affirms support for the region
[11:51 AM, 3/4/2026] Dalal Awienat: RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense official spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the Kingdom intercepted 9 drones on Wednesday, reported state news agency SPA.
All-Maliki also said a drone was intercepted and destroyed in the Eastern Region of the kingdom and two cruise missiles were intercepted and destroyed in Al-Kharj Governorate.
A statement from the Saudi foreign ministry on Tuesday condemned Iran’s attack on the United States Embassy building in Riyadh after preliminary assessments indicated two drones targeted the facility.
The Saudi Defense Ministry said eight drones were intercepted and destroyed near Riyadh and Al-Kharj. The incident caused a limited fire and minor material damage to the embassy, with no reported injuries.
Reports from early Tuesday described a loud blast and visible flames at the American embassy, with black smoke rising over Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter, where many foreign missions are located.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said in an X post, reckless attacks targeting innocent civilians are unacceptable and destabilizing, affirming her country's support for Saudi Arabia and its partners in the region in confronting these attacks.
Iranian strikes on Riyadh, including on the US Embassy, are completely unacceptable.
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) March 3, 2026
We condemn these reckless and destabilising attacks that target innocent civilians.
We stand with Saudi Arabia and our others partners across the region in the face of these attacks.
“Iranian strikes on Riyadh, including on the US Embassy, are completely unacceptable. We condemn these reckless and destabilising attacks that target innocent civilians. We stand with Saudi Arabia and our other partners across the region in the face of these attacks,” said Cooper.
