BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 5. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Republic of Turkey held an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Defense Alliance in Riyadh today to discuss security developments and threats facing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
As part of the institutional framework of the Makkah Defense Alliance, the Committee decided to appoint His Excellency Retired Lieutenant General Noman Mahmood, from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as its first Secretary-General for a three-year term.
The member states welcomed His Excellency, wishing him success in his duties and expressing their confidence in his contribution to the development of the Alliance and the achievement of its objectives.
The member states condemned in the strongest terms the attempted targeting of Makkah and Madinah, and the continued attacks targeting cities and civilian and economic facilities in the Kingdom, affirming their categorical rejection of any aggression or threat to the Kingdom’s security and territorial integrity.
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Turkey commended the vigilance and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces, and the professional performance and high efficiency they demonstrated in countering threats and attacks against the Kingdom, and protecting its security and territorial integrity.
The Committee reviewed the results of the political and military consultations that preceded the meeting and approved the recommendations submitted to it, affirming that the Makkah Defense Pact embodies a firm commitment to joint defense and a unified stance in the face of threats.
The Committee decided to move immediately to the practical implementation of the joint defense commitments and to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed-upon forces and military capabilities and to expedite their deployment in the Kingdom, in accordance with the approved arrangements and the national legislation of the member states, thereby enhancing military readiness and integration and the collective ability to confront and counter threats.
The States Parties affirmed that the security of each State Party is an integral part of the collective security of the three States, and that translating the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defense into practical measures embodies the credibility of the commitment to joint defense, enhances the effectiveness of deterrence, and affirms the unity of the three States and their determination to defend their security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.
