Qiddiya signs €6B deal to develop 3 entertainment cities in France. Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya Investment Co. signed an agreement to develop three entertainment cities in France, with investments estimated at around €6 billion (approximately SAR 26 billion). The deal signing came on the sidelines of the Saudi Crown Prince's visit to France. The entertainment cities will be developed in the Cergy-Pontoise area of France and are expected to create 22,000 jobs. Qiddiya will lead the implementation of the project, which will also include accommodation and dining facilities, as well as residential units, particularly for young professionals and students. In a post on X, French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Saudi Arabia were announcing an unprecedented project, noting that the three entertainment cities would turn the area into a new global destination.

Saudi Arabia, France urge diplomacy on Iran and Palestine. Riyadh and Paris call for negotiations with Iran, unrestricted Hormuz navigation and renewed efforts toward Palestinian statehood. PARIS, France (MNTV) - Saudi Arabia and France have called for a diplomatic resolution to tensions with Iran, unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and renewed international efforts to establish a Palestinian state, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Emmanuel Macron outlined an expanded strategic partnership. The positions were set out in a joint statement issued Monday following the Saudi crown prince's meeting with the French president in Paris. Riyadh and Paris said regional stability should be grounded in state sovereignty, international law and political solutions to conflicts rather than further military escalation. On Iran, the two countries called for negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute over Tehran's nuclear program and preventing further regional instability. They urged Iran to resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and reiterated support for ensuring that its nuclear activities remain peaceful. The statement also condemned attacks against vessels and threats to maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, calling for shipping to resume under conditions that existed before Feb. 28, 2026. Saudi Arabia and France called for freedom of navigation and uninterrupted commercial shipping through the strategic waterway, while rejecting direct or indirect charges and restrictions on passage that violate international law. On Palestine, the two governments called for conditions that would allow a durable ceasefire in Gaza and for humanitarian assistance to reach civilians safely and without obstruction. They also opposed measures that would undermine Palestinian aspirations for an independent state within the 1967 borders and stressed the importance of maintaining territorial unity between Palestinian areas. Riyadh and Paris called for an end to Israeli settlement expansion and settler violence, saying such actions threaten prospects for a two-state solution. They also reaffirmed support for the New York Declaration and the Palestinian Authority's reform program. The statement welcomed plans for Palestinian legislative and presidential elections and called for continued international efforts to support Palestinian institutions. The leaders also discussed Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan and Syria, reflecting the broader security agenda of the emerging Saudi-French partnership. On Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and France pledged to strengthen the Lebanese state and its institutions while protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They welcomed efforts by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to restore state authority and rebuild national institutions. The two countries reaffirmed support for Lebanon's armed forces and security agencies and called for implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. They also demanded the disarmament of non-state armed groups and called for Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory. Regarding Yemen, Riyadh and Paris reiterated their support for the Presidential Council and United Nations efforts to achieve an inclusive political settlement. France condemned attacks by the Houthis against Saudi territory, civilian infrastructure and shipping and expressed solidarity with Riyadh. On Sudan, the two governments urged greater international efforts to end the conflict, curb external interference and protect Sudan's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and state institutions. Saudi Arabia and France also reaffirmed their support for Syria's unity, stability and economic recovery. The two sides highlighted Syria's potential role as a trade link between Europe, the Gulf and Asia and welcomed plans to establish a Saudi-Syrian-French business council. The joint statement also marked a broader expansion of Saudi-French relations as the countries commemorated a century of diplomatic ties and held the inaugural meeting of the French-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council. Riyadh and Paris adopted a declaration aimed at strengthening defense cooperation, including collaboration on arms and military training, while pledging greater coordination on international security issues. Economic cooperation was also prominent, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $11.8 billion in 2025. The two sides agreed to encourage additional investment and strengthen cooperation between financial institutions. Saudi Arabia and France also welcomed plans by Qiddiya Investment Company to develop a large mixed-use destination in Cergy-Pontoise, near Paris, with projected investment of about €6 billion over the project's development period. The partnership is set to expand into artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other emerging technologies. France and Saudi Arabia also agreed to extend cooperation on the AlUla development project through 2035, continuing joint work in archaeology, heritage and culture. France confirmed its participation in Riyadh Expo 2030, while officials from both countries agreed to use the event to further strengthen bilateral relations. During the visit, Saudi and French officials signed agreements and memorandums covering defense, healthcare, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and entertainment. More than 22 agreements and memorandums were also announced during a Saudi-French investment roundtable. The agreements demonstrate Riyadh and Paris' effort to broaden their relationship beyond trade and investment into defense, technology and coordinated diplomacy over major conflicts and security challenges across the Middle East. Your contribution! Your contribution to Muslim Network TV will help broadcast Muslims Muslim Network must take charge of its narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help Muslim Network change that. Have your say! Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing [email protected]. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV's representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

Saudi crown prince, French president issue joint statement to boost strategic partnership. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their strategic partnership and discussed key regional and global issues in Paris. Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement at the conclusion of the crown prince's official visit to France on August 23 and 24, 2026. During their talks, both sides emphasized their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and France, noting the centenary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They reiterated their hope that this partnership would help address regional and international challenges, while fostering mutual trust and respect. Launch of strategic partnership council and new initiatives. The crown prince and the French president co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council, launching new initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation across all fields. They stressed the importance of stability in the Middle East, upholding state sovereignty, and prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts. Shared positions on regional issues. * Regional security and Iran: Both sides underscored the need for negotiated solutions to crises and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, calling on Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. * Strait of Hormuz: The two leaders condemned attacks on ships and threats to maritime routes, emphasizing the need to restore normal navigation without the imposition of fees or restrictions. * Palestinian issue: Both parties welcomed the agreement to disarm Hamas and called for its implementation, stressing the importance of a ceasefire and the flow of aid to Gaza, and voiced support for the establishment of a Palestinian state along 1967 borders. * Lebanon: The two sides agreed to support settlement efforts and strengthen Lebanese state institutions, reaffirming support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. * Yemen: Both parties reiterated support for Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and UN efforts, condemning Houthi attacks on infrastructure and vital facilities in the Kingdom, as well as assaults on ships. * Sudan and Syria: The leaders stressed the importance of ending the Sudanese crisis, supported Syria's unity and stability, and welcomed the establishment of a joint Saudi-Syrian-French business council. Strengthening economic, defense, and technology cooperation. The two sides adopted a declaration to enhance defense cooperation and highlighted robust economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching $11.8 billion in 2025. They emphasized the importance of collaboration in energy, oil, petrochemicals, renewables, nuclear energy, and clean hydrogen, as well as climate issues and emerging technologies. Both parties welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Qiddiya Investment Company to develop a major global destination in Cergy-Pontoise, France, with an investment of up to 6 billion euros. They also agreed to establish a financial framework to support French projects in the Kingdom and to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and capacity building. Cultural and sports cooperation, support for Expo 2030. The two sides affirmed the importance of cooperation in AlUla and agreed to extend their partnership there until 2035. They praised the successful hosting of the Esports World Cup in Paris and welcomed France's participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed in defense, health, emerging technologies, and entertainment.