Mecca Defence Pact Orders Immediate Joint Defence Implementation, Deployment of Agreed Forces to Saudi Arabia
RIYADH, Oct 5 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey agreed on Monday to immediately begin implementing the Mecca Defence Pact’s joint defence commitments, including measures to provide agreed military forces and capabilities and rapidly deploy them in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The decision was taken during an emergency meeting in Riyadh of the pact’s Strategic Political and Defence Committee, convened to discuss security developments and threats facing Saudi Arabia.
Under the measures approved by the committee, the three countries will take the necessary steps to provide previously agreed military forces and capabilities and accelerate their deployment in Saudi Arabia in accordance with approved arrangements and the national laws of the member states.
The committee said the move was intended to strengthen military readiness, integration and the three countries’ collective capacity to confront and respond to threats.
As part of the pact’s institutional development, the committee appointed retired Lieutenant General Noman Mahmoud of Pakistan as the Mecca Defence Pact’s first Secretary-General for a three-year term.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey welcomed his appointment and expressed confidence that he would contribute to developing the alliance and advancing its objectives.
The three countries strongly condemned the attempted targeting of Mecca and Medina as well as continuing attacks against Saudi cities and civilian and economic facilities, according to the statement.
They also rejected any attack or threat against Saudi Arabia’s security and territorial integrity.
Pakistan and Turkey praised the vigilance and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces and their performance in confronting threats and protecting the Kingdom’s security and territory.
The committee reviewed political and military consultations conducted ahead of the emergency meeting and approved the recommendations submitted to it.
It said the Mecca Defence Pact reflected a firm commitment to mutual defence and a unified position in confronting threats.
The three countries further affirmed that the security of each member state was inseparable from their collective security.
They said translating the Mecca Defence Pact’s mutual defence provisions into practical measures would strengthen deterrence and demonstrate the determination of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey to defend their security, sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the agreement.
