Riyadh, April 25, 2021, SPA -- Saudi newspapers highlighted in their editorials today a number of issues at local, regional and international arenas. Al-Riyadh newspaper reported in its editorial that the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is keen to protect the Kingdom's lands, citizens and residents from anything that might affect their safety and security including the scourge of drugs. The Saudi government also has never hesitated to take any measures that would enhance this protection, realizing that drugs have a devastating impact on the nation and its future. The newspaper added that the anti-drug units and customs officers play a major role in controlling any smuggling operations targeting the Kingdom. For instance, on Friday, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) announced that security personnel thwarted the attempt to smuggle about 2.5 million amphetamine pills hidden in a shipment of pomegranate fruit coming from Lebanon, as this announcement also represents the security personnel vigilance. The newspaper further added that when the hidden narcotics are found in 75% of the total incoming consignments from Lebanon, this gives the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the full right to take any firm measures in this regard, including the last decision to ban consignments of Lebanese vegetables and fruits from entering into the Kingdom or transit through its territory. This decision came after the Saudi concerned authorities have noticed increased drug smuggling activity targeting the Kingdom from Lebanon or passing through Lebanese territories, using Lebanese products to smuggle drugs into the Kingdom's territory. Moreover, the ban was also due to the failure of taking practical measures to stop these practices towards the Kingdom, despite the Kingdom’s numerous attempts to urge the concerned Lebanese authorities to do so, and in order to protect the Kingdom's citizens and residents from anything that might affect their safety and security, the paper added. The newspaper concluded that this decision does not threaten or affect the brotherly relations and ties between the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, especially since this relationship is solid, reinforced by many situations in which Saudi Arabia supported Lebanon in its political and economic crises. In another context, Al-Yaum newspaper reported in its editorial that while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to exert all efforts in order to ensure the safety of everyone that visits the Two Holy Mosques during the holy month of Ramadan, in light of these exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, Iran continues to provide the Houthi militia with different kinds of military support to carry out more systematic attacks against civilians and civilian objects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The newspaper pointed to the strong condemnation of those attempts by the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia, targeting civilians and civilian objects in a systematic and deliberate manner in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the confirmation that these continuous terrorist attacks by the Houthi militia reflect their blatant challenge to the international community. To this, the international community has to play a role and bear its responsibilities towards these acts that target vital and civilian facilities and the security of Saudi Arabia, as well as international energy supplies and economic stability. The newspaper concluded by referring to the Saudi air defense forces’ competence and professionalism in countering and thwarting Houthi terrorist attacks. --SPA 11:44 LOCAL TIME 08:44 GMT 0013 www.spa.gov.sa/w1548499