Jeddah - The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah today (Tuesday).
At the outset of the session, the King briefed the Cabinet on the telephone call made to King Mohammed VI of Kingdom of Morocco during which he affirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Government and people's stand with the Kingdom of Morocco against any threats to its security, stability and territorial integrity.
The Minister of State, Cabinet's Member, and Acting Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency following the session that the Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on local affairs, including preparations and services provided by various governmental and private sectors on the occasion of the advent of the blessed holy month of Ramadan for Umrah performers and visitors. The King directed to double efforts and provide all best services and facilities for Umrah performers, visitors and worshipers in the Two Holy Mosques, two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, holy sites, roads, airports and ports in this blessed holy month in order to achieve tranquility and comfort for visitors of the two Holy Mosques, praying to Allah Almighty to accept good deeds of all Muslims during this month.
The Cabinet commended the Council of Economic Affairs and Development's launching of the Quality of Life 2020 program, one of the programs to achieve the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's vision 2030, with total expenditure of SR 130 billion, whose implementation plan embodies the vision of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH Crown Prince and their directives to provide the appropriate environment to improve the lifestyles of individuals and families, boost investment opportunities, diversify economic activities, create jobs, and enhance the status of Saudi cities in the ranking of the world's best cities.
The Minister said that the Cabinet discussed a number of latest developments at the international arena, stressing the necessity of concerted efforts and positions to confront the Iranian regime's interference and its tools in the affairs of the Arab countries. He expressed, in this context, the Kingdom's condemnation of Iranian interference in the affairs of Morocco through its tools; the terrorist organization of Hezbollah militia that is training the elements of the so-called «Polisario» group in order to destabilize security and stability in Morocco, stressing the Kingdom's stand with the Kingdom of Morocco and support for it in every matter that guarantees its security and stability, including its decision to sever its relations with Iran.
The Cabinet welcomed «Dhaka Declaration» issued by the 45th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in the capital of the Republic of Bangladesh under the title «Islamic Values for Sustainable Peace, Solidarity and Development».
The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation and denunciation of the suicide attack on the headquarters of the Supreme National Electoral Commission in the Libyan capital of Tripoli and offered condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims and to the Government and the people of Libya, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery, stressing the Kingdom's firm stance against terrorism and extremism.
The Cabinet also expressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation of the armed attack targeted the Minister of the Interior of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, wishing him a speedy recovery, reiterating the Kingdom's stand with it in its actions to protect its security and stability.
The Minister Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed said that the Cabinet was briefed on the issues on the agenda of its session and decided the following:
First: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Justice - or his deputy - to discuss with the Korean side a draft judicial cooperation agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea, sign it and submit the final signed version to complete formal procedures.
Second:
The Cabinet approved a general cooperation agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Third:
The Cabinet authorized the President of Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage - or his deputy - to discuss with Ukrainian and Kyrgyzstani sides two draft Memorandums of Understanding in the field of tourism between the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Tourism in Ukraine and the State Agency of Tourism in Kyrgyz Republic, sign them, and submit the final versions to complete formal procedures.
Fourth:
The Cabinet approved the National Environment Strategy.
Fifth:
The Cabinet approved the allocation of one week each year dedicated to the environment, as the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture shall implement, organize, and invite governmental and private sector agencies and environmental associations to participate in the environment week, where it shall be held each year in the first week of Spring.
Sixth: The Cabinet decided to appoint Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abu Thuneen as a member of the Board of Directors of the General Organization for Social Insurance, as representative of Ministry of Labor and Social Development.
Seventh: The Cabinet approved promotions as follows: 1-Ali bin Abdullah bin Yousef Al-Shihri to the post of Economic Advisor (rank 15th) at Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
2- Hilal bin Ayed bin Awadh Al-Sayali to the post of Director General of Directorate of Expatriates Affairs (rank 15th) at the Ministry of Interior.
3 - Nasser bin Abdullah bin Ali Al-Shehri to the post of Assistant Undersecretary for Development Affairs (rank 14th) at the Governorate of Asir region.
4. Nabil bin Sulaiman bin Ibrahim Damanhouri to the post of Geological Consultant (rank 14th) at the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources.
5 - Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Furaiji to the post of Legal Adviser (rank 14th) at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
The Cabinet was briefed on a number of general issues on its agenda and issued its directives regarding them.