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LONDON: Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif visited the Paris Operation Center during his official trip to France this week, where he held meetings with ministers and officials to enhance security cooperation between the two countries.

He was received on Tuesday by Laurent Nunez, the head of the Paris Police Prefecture, who briefed him on the workflow and technology of the center. Last summer, during the Paris 2024 Olympics, French authorities conducted a massive operation, deploying nearly 45,000 police officers for the event.

Prince Abdulaziz also visited the headquarters of the elite unit, RAID, which conducts research, provides assistance, intervenes in counter-terrorism efforts, and handles hostage rescues as well as high-risk criminal situations. He met with Guillaume Cardy, the chief of RAID, and observed a security strategy to address threats using the latest tactical methods and supporting techniques.

On Monday, Prince Abdulaziz discussed ways to enhance security cooperation with his French counterpart, Bruno Retailleau. The two interior ministers signed an executive document outlining future security cooperation between Riyadh and Paris.

The Saudi cabinet reaffirmed on Tuesday the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East, voicing support for a high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, co-chaired by ������Ƶ and France.

The cabinet expressed hope the forum would accelerate international recognition of a Palestinian state and pave the way for implementing the two-state solution. It also welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent pledge to recognize Palestine, urging other countries to take similar steps in support of Palestinian rights and regional stability.

Chaired by King Salman, the cabinet condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli Knesset’s call to impose control over the occupied West Bank and Jordan Valley. It stressed that such actions violate international law and undermine efforts to achieve peace.

The cabinet also reviewed recent diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening ties with regional and international partners. It praised the outcomes of the Saudi delegation’s visit to Syria, conducted under the directive of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which led to the signing of 47 investment agreements worth nearly 24 billion riyals and the formation of a joint business council to boost cooperation between the two nations' private sectors.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari, in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, highlighted the Kingdom’s participation in the United Nations High-Level Political Forum. He noted that ������Ƶ has recorded the fastest progress among G20 countries in sustainable development over the past decade, underscoring its leadership in international initiatives that promote prosperity and progress.