The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday afternoon. At the outset of the session, the King expressed, in his name, the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, his thanks and appreciation to President Donald Trump of the United States of America and leaders of Arab and Islamic countries who participated in the 17th consultative meeting of leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States, Gulf-American Summit and Arab-Islamic-American Summit hosted by the Kingdom yesterday, stressing that talks and meetings held at these summits embodied the great concern and determination of all participating countries to contribute to every matter in confronting different challenges and strengthening the foundations of peace, security and stability. The King said that the historic agreement signed by the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States yesterday with the United States of America to take firm measures to target the financing of terrorism by establishing a center for combating terrorism financing in Riyadh came as an extension of efforts being exerted to combat terrorism and is based on efforts existing in this regard; and the announcement of the launch of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology aimed at spreading the principles of moderation, countering of tempting young people, fortifying families and societies and counteracting paltry arguments of terrorists because extremism breeds terrorism. The King added that meetings with US President Donald Trump, reviewing historical relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in various fields, discussing the latest developments in the Middle East and the world and efforts being exerted for the stability and security of the region, signing the announcement of the joint strategic vision, exchanging of a number of trade agreements and investment opportunities between the two countries exceeding $ 280 billion, discussions between senior officials of the two countries, and economic forums, are considered as a turning point in relations between the two countries and will transfer these relations from the strategic dimension and partnership to the intensification of the levels of consultation, cooperation and coordination in various areas. The King also expressed appreciation of President Trump for his generous feelings towards the good spirit and great cooperation that prevailed in the meetings between the two countries, the signing of historic agreements between them on the sidelines of the visit, his thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, government and people for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation as well as for the Kingdom's hosting of the Arab-Islamic-American Summit. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the meeting, the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Alawwad said that the Cabinet affirmed that the Kingdom's hosting of the GCC-US Summit and the historically unprecedented Arab-Islamic-American Summit reflects the great posture the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has internationally enjoyed and its strong keenness to strengthen the bonds of cooperation with friendly and brotherly countries, in addition to its pivotal role in combating terrorism and extremism, and putting off various conflicts in the region, as well as its remarkable efforts in all matters that would enhance security, peace and stability in the region and the world. The Cabinet highlighted the valuable contents of the speech delivered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques at the Arab-Islamic-American Summit, citing that the summit is taking place at an important and so serious time, the US President has shown great interest and keenness to strengthen cooperation with the Arab and Islamic world. The Cabinet also pointed to the King's emphasis in his speech on the responsibility of the Arab and Islamic countries before Allah Almighty and before the Arab and Islamic peoples to be united in the fight against the forces of evil and extremism, whatever their source, in compliance with the orders of the Islamic religion and the dissemination of its tolerant values that are based on peace, moderation, no justification for destruction or corruption on the ground. The Cabinet also emphasized the King's lauding in his speech the various efforts being exerted to eradicate terrorism and extremism, drawing the attention to the importance of achieving peace between Palestinians and Israelis, intensifying efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, refusing to harm the Islamic countries' relations with friendly countries or exploiting Islam as a cover for political purposes fueling hatred, extremism and terrorism as well as religious and sectarian conflicts, citing acts done by the Iranian regime, its affiliated groups and organizations and other terrorist organizations. The Cabinet asserted that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' announcing and launching of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology "Etidal", in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, their Majesties, Excellences, and Highnesses, leaders and heads of the delegations taking part in the Arab Islamic American summit is an embodiment of Saudi Arabia's efforts and continuing war against terrorism, and determination to eliminate terrorist organizations. The Cabinet cited Saudi Arabia's historic pioneering step to contain terrorism through forming "The Islamic Military Coalition to Combat Terrorism." The Cabinet also lauded the exchange of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the GCC countries and the United States of America to establish a center to dry- up the sources of funding of terrorism, whereas the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, represented the GCC countries in the exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ceremony, and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson represented the American side. The Minister said the Cabinet hailed the remarks made by President Donald Trump in his speech before the summit on the need to eliminate terrorism and dry its sources up, reminding that America seeks peace and not war, and sends messages of friendship, hope, and love to the world. For that, President Donald Trump has chosen Saudi Arabia as his first leg on his first foreign trip, the heart of the Islamic world and the Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Cabinet said, citing President Trump as saying. He also affirmed that his country's vision is to observe peace, security, and prosperity in this region and all over the world, join the alliance of nations and peoples to get rid of extremism and look forward to the future and develop new partnerships to promote peace and stability in the Middle East and the world. The Council of Ministers praised the "Riyadh Declaration" issued by the Arab-Islamic-American Summit, held at an invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, with the participation of leaders and representatives of 55 Arab and Islamic countries in addition to the United States of America. The Cabinet also lauded the leaders' thanks to and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his historic invitation for this summit. Appreciation also goes for the President of the United States of America for taking part in the summit and coming to the Kingdom to exert efforts for the good of the region and the interests of its peoples. The Cabinet also lauded the contents of Riyadh declaration, citing the close partnership between the leaders of Arab and Islamic countries and the United States to confront extremism and terrorism, and the ways agreed upon to enhance cooperation and measures that can be taken to consolidate relations and joint work, promote coexistence and constructive tolerance among different countries, religions and cultures, confront sectarian agendas and interference in domestic affairs of other states. The Cabinet, then, underscored the importance of strengthening joint work to confront piracy and protect navigation and the importance of following-up programs and activities in the fields of partnership between the Arab and Muslim worlds on one hand and the United States of America on the other. In the local affairs, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was reassured of the various preparations provided by various governmental and private sectors to serve pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The monarch also congratulated the people of the Kingdom and the peoples of the Arab and Islamic nations on the advent of Ramadan, wishing them easy fasting and acceptable worshipping. The Cabinet approved two memorandums of cooperation in the energy sector and the industrial field between the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, which was signed in Tokyo on 29/11/1437H. The Cabinet approved that the Islamic University signs a draft memorandum of understanding between the Islamic University of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the University of Comoros of the Union of the Comoros. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Education, or his deputy, to discuss and sign with the Swedish side a draft memorandum of scientific and educational cooperation between the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research of the Kingdom of Sweden. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Labor and Social Development, or his deputy, to discuss and sign with the Azerbaijani side a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of labor between the Ministry of Labor and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Chairman of the Board of Directors of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, or his deputy, to discuss and sign with the Swedish side a draft memorandum of understanding for scientific and technical cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Sweden. The Cabinet approved the Implementing Regulation of Arbitration Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/34) dated 24/05/1433H. The Cabinet approved a number of arrangements as follows: 1- Assigning the task of regulating the entire series of water and sewage services to the Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority. 2- Changing the name of the Irrigation and Drainage Authority in Al-Ahsa to the General Organization for Irrigation. 3- The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture shall conduct a feasibility study of establishing a water transport network linking the various regions of the Kingdom. The Cabinet approved a number of promotions as follows: 1- Hamad bin Saad bin Hamad Al Omar promoted to the post of Advisor for Technical Affairs (Rank 15) at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. 2- Hisham bin Sultan bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani promoted to the post of Ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 3- Saeed bin Saad bin Mubarak Al-Shahrani promoted to the post of Director General of Beureau's Branch in Eastern Region (Rank 15) at the General Auditing Bureau. 4- Aydhah bin Mohammed bin Awadh Al-Khudaidi promoted to the post of Director General of Follow-up and Research (Rank 15) at the Control and Investigation Board. 5- Mohammed bin Ali bin Ahmed Al-Sharif promoted to the post of Legal Expert (A) (Rank 15) at the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers. 6- Zayed bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Audaim promoted to the post of Director General of Financial Control and Projects Follow-up (Rank 14) at the Control and Investigation Board. The Cabinet was also briefed on a number of issues on its agenda.
