The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the session held by the Cabinet at Al-Salam palace in Jeddah this evening. At the outset of the meeting, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the outcome of his audience with King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the contents of a verbal message he sent to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait which was delivered to him by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region; his meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu-Dhabi, who is also Deputy Commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates, the contents of the telephone call the monarch received from President Emmanuel Macron of France, including the two countries coordination of efforts being exerted by the two countries to achieve security and stability in the region, topped by the fight against terror as well as his meeting with the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashed Al-Zayani. Following the meeting, Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, the minister of Culture and Information said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet valued the selection of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as the year's Islamic personality winning Dubai 21st international prize on the service of the holy Quran in recognition of his great role and achievements in the service of the two holy mosques and the sacred place, his care of the pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors of the prophet's mosque, his care of the biography of the prophet, service to Islam and Muslims all over the world and efforts to promote moderate approach of Islam which achieves the noble goals of the Islamic Sharia as well as his good deeds to relieve the afflicted and the needy throughout the world. The Cabinet confirmed that the decision to cut diplomatic and consulate relations with Qatar came emanating from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's observing its sovereign rights guaranteed by international law and in protection of its national security against the dangers of terrorism and extremism as the Kingdom has taken this decisive decision due to the grave violations practiced by the authorities in Doha secretly and publicly throughout the previous years aiming to strike a wedge in the Saudi domestic ranks, instigating people to disobey the State and breach its sovereignty through securing safe havens for numerous terrorist and sectarian groups targeting the stability of the region. The Cabinet reiterated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will remain supportive for the Qatari sisterly people and their security and stability regardless of the hostile practice committed by the authorities in Doha. The Cabinet pointed out that the decision of various brethren countries to severe diplomatic relations with the state of Qatar was an expression of keenness to preserve the unity of the Arab nation and take stance against Qatari acts, aimed at destabilizing security, in the region, contravening accords, charters, principles of international law and good neighborliness. The Cabinet valued the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to governors of regions, during a recent reception, as he urged them to show fear of Allah and pay full attention to the interest of citizens and residents, alike, through following up their conditions, get-acquainted and meet their needs, doing their best to realize them, in order to bring about comprehensive development that serves the ultimate goal of the motherland and the citizen, expressing gratitude of the King for ordering disbursing monthly-based funds for leaders (sheikhs) and guides of tribes, effective this holy month of Ramadhan. The minister commented that the Cabinet reviewed the outputs of the 24th meeting of the governors of regions and the recommendations and decisions, proceeding from the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to mobilize all potentials to consolidate security and comprehensive development, showing keenness to facilitate solving citizens and residents affairs, at ease. The cabinet also reviewed the outcomes of the meetings of the security plans following up on this year Umrah season, to receive guests of Allah, both in Makkah and Madinah, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, reiterating the Kingdom's keenness, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to provide worshippers with all necessary facilities to perform their rituals, smoothly, safely and at ease, proceeding from over-attention paid to the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, in accordance with well-established traditions laid by the founder King Abdulaziz Al Saud and cherished by succeeding kings, the minister added. In line with a noble directive, the cabinet was briefed by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, on the outcomes of his visit to Russia, meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussion of reinforcing Saudi-Russian understanding on the oil accord, led by the Kingdom, which guarantee for the first time, in the history of the region the cooperation of OPEC member states and non-member states, including Russia, in addition to review bilateral relations, in the field of investments and various oil and petrochemical industries and uniting efforts to combat terrorism, terrorist outfits and extremist thought, he remarked. The Council of Ministers commended the program "A Rewarding Month of Giving", which was launched under the instructions of the Deputy Crown Prince in collaboration with the General Department for Pensioners Affairs at the Ministry of Defense. The program includes disbursement of financial aid to families of martyrs and the injured in action at the determination storm and restoration of hope operations to mark the holy month of Ramadan. The Cabinet lauded the security authorities follow-up and chasing of the terrorist activities targeting innocent lives and public properties perpetrated by criminal gangs in Qatif province. In this regard, the Cabinet pointed out that the security authorities have done a good job when they fired at a car used in committing terrorist and criminal crimes, setting it ablaze and killing all its passengers without endangering any citizen, expatriate or security man. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of reports on the overall developments in the world, especially those taking place in a number of sisterly and friendly countries. In this context, the Cabinet stressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation of the bombings in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the series of bombings in the Afghan capital, Kabul, the terrorist attacks that took place in London, expressing condolence to the governments and peoples of Iraq, Afghanistan and Britain on the victims of bombings and terrorist incidents, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery. Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad said that the Cabinet was briefed on the topics on the agenda of its meeting, including some co-reviewed by the Shura Council. The Council concluded the following: First: The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement in the field of combating crime between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Burkina Faso, signed in Riyadh city on 26/7/1437 H. Second: The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding on cooperation, in the domain of water resources between the ministry of environment, water and agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the ministry of water resources of the People's Republic of China, co-signed in Beijing on 27/11/1437 AH. Third: The Cabinet approved joining of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, its amendments (the Protocol) of 1996. Fourth: The Cabinet approved Arab Customs' Cooperation Agreement, signed in Riyadh on 16/07/1436 AH. Fifth: The Cabinet approved an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of the Maldives' Islands, in the domain of air transport, signed in Male on 20/06/1437 AH. Sixth: The Cabinet amended Article (3) of the regulation of the expenses of Saudi patients and their companions referred for treatment outside their areas of residence to read as follows: "The patient who is transferred for treatment and his/her companion shall be given home and away tickets on the Saudi Arabian Airlines at the hospitality class If his health condition requires otherwise, the two tickets shall be either business class or a medical stretcher at the hospitality class in accordance with the regulations set by the Ministry Health. Had it become health risky to take the patient by air, he/she be paid the equivalent of air tickets by land transport. " Seventh: After reviewing a report on taxi driving job saudization through smart applications, upon recommendation of the Economic Affairs and Development Council No. (6/43/38 / D) dated 2/7/1438 e, the Council of Ministers decided the following: 1 - The Public Transport Authority, in coordination with the General Security and the General Directorate of Traffic, and other concerned authorities, are assigned to organize and follow up the passenger transport activity through the vehicle guidance service with smart applications, and verify that the companies operating in this activity and drivers meet the required requirements. 2. The Public Transport Authority, in coordination with the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, shall take the necessary measures to confine the practice of passenger transport through the service of directing vehicles with smart applications to Saudi nationals, and forward a report on that matter. Eighth: The Cabinet ordered the validity of an exemption stipulated in paragraph (2) of Cabinet Resolution No. (300) dated 21/10/1432 H. regarding the position of Manager of an Internal Audit Unit, pending an expected report by the Committee formed by the monarch No. 58460 dated 4/12/1437 H. to decide thereon. Ninth: The Cabinet approved promotions to 14 as well as 15 ranks and an ambassador post, as follows: 1 Abdullah bin Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Lihaidan is promoted to the post of Undersecretary for Islamic Affairs (15 rank), at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance. 2 Abdulrahman bin Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al-Khiraif to the post of Director of the ministry branch, in Makkah Region (15 rank), at the Ministry of Justice. 3 Turki bin Naji bin Abdulqadir Al Ali is promoted to ambassador post, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 4 Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim bin Jarrallah Al-Ghaifis is promoted to the post of Head of Public Notary (14 rank), at the Ministry of Justice. 5 Ahmed bin Hamad bin Abdulwahab Al-Babtain promoted to the post of Financial Counselor (14 rank), at the Ministry of Finance. 6 Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Iraifi to the post of Financial Counselor (14 rank), at the Ministry of Finance. 7 Ibrahim bin Nasser bin Saeed Al-Dossari to Planning Expert (14 rank), at the General Auditing Bureau. The cabinet also reviewed various topics on the agenda of the meeting, including the annual report of the Ministry of Culture and Information, for the previous fiscal year. The cabinet was informed of its details and made pertinent authorities to carry out relevant instructions.
