{
  "id": 18498601,
  "title": "Makkah Defence Alliance secretary general to assume duties in Riyadh soon: FO",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/makkah-defence-alliance-secretary-general-to-assume-duties-in-riyadh",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T12:26:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2042611/makkah-defence-alliance-secretary-general-to-assume-duties-in-riyadh-soon-fo"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "According to the Foreign Office, the secretary general of the Makkah Defence Alliance, Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood, is set to take up his duties in Riyadh shortly. Appointed as the first secretary general of the alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey on September 23, Mahmood's appointment was announced by Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan during the FO's weekly press briefing. Khan also addressed the crisis in the Gulf, emphasizing Pakistan's commitment to facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States. He highlighted Pakistan's efforts to bring the two nations together, despite their decades-long disconnection, and expressed support for a peaceful resolution through diplomacy. Khan further criticized Israel's expansionist policies, stating that peace in the region is not in Israel's interest and its ambitions extend beyond Iran to include countries like Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon. Regarding the recent US midterm elections, Khan reiterated that Pakistan's relations with Washington remained close, reiterating the government's stance on the domestic matter.",
  "summary": "The Foreign Office (FO) on Friday said that the secretary general of the Makkah Defence Alliance, Lieutenant General (retd) Nauman Mahmood, is expected to assume his responsibilities in Riyadh soon. Mahmood was appointed as the first secretary general of the alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on Sep 23. Speaking at the FO’s weekly press briefing, Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}