The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Monday afternoon. At the outset of the session, the King briefed the Cabinet on the results of his meeting with President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir of Republic of Sudan, his talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Republic of Turkey, and the phone call made to President Emomali Rahmon of Republic of Tajikistan. The Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency following the session that the Cabinet discussed a number of topics on local affairs and reviewed reports on latest developments at regional, Arab and international arenas. The Cabinet expressed its thanks and appreciation to the King for issuing a number of royal orders which embody his keenness to upgrade the state's bodies to keep abreast of local and international requirements and changes, improve their efficiencies, ensure speedy and accurate implementation in line with the modernization and development of the performance of various bodies of the state, and ensure the highest level of services being provided to citizens, residents and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques. The Cabinet renewed the Kingdom's pride in honor of serving the guests of the Grand Holy Mosque and providing all facilities for pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors emanating from its pioneering role in serving the visitors to the Two Holy Mosques and holy sites from all over the world, pointing in this regard to what has been achieved of a record number during the Umrah season where the number of visas for coming Umrah performers for the current year amounted to more than 6,750,000 (six million seven hundred and fifty thousand) visas. Minister Dr. Al-Awwad said that the Cabinet appreciated the security agencies' follow-up of terrorist activities and their pursuit of wanted persons, pointing in this regard to the killing of three wanted by security authorities in the town of Saihat in Al-Qatif governorate who were involved in many terrorist and criminal crimes and seizure of their possession of explosive materials, weapons and ammunition, reiterating that the security authorities are able to deter anyone who seeks to harm the security of the Kingdom and its stability. The Cabinet stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attaches importance to human development and the promotion of welfare of citizens, renews its commitment to achieving sustainable development at the national level and looks forward to cooperating with the United Nations and strategic partners in achieving sustainable development goals locally, regionally and internationally. On the other hand, the Cabinet welcomed the commendation included in the report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the trends of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's national economy and the progress achieved so far in implementing the Kingdom's Vision 2030 described by the Fund as a "Bold Reform" program. The Cabinet also renewed the Kingdom's full support for the measures taken by the State of Kuwait towards the Iranian diplomatic mission in Kuwait after a judicial ruling on the so-called "Abdali Cell" and the participation of Iranian parties in helping and supporting the cell's members. The Cabinet stressed the statement issued by the emergency session held at the level of Permanent Representatives at the headquarters of the Arab League on the latest Israeli developments and violations in Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque, reiterating the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation of the measures taken by Israeli authorities at Al-Aqsa Mosque and its closure before worshippers, and its call on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards the continuation of the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. Fourth: After seen a proposal presented by the Crown Prince, Deputy Premier (and Minister of Defense), who is also Chairman of the Council of Economic Affairs and Development, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Project for Atomic Energy in the Kingdom. The project consists of a number of programs and initiatives as figured out in the resolution. Fifth: Based on a recommendation of the Council of Economic Affairs and Development, the Cabinet approved both the financial and administrative regulations of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy. Sixth: The Cabinet decided the following: 1 / Cancellation of item Second of its decision No. (552) dated 25/12/1437 H. 2/ Without violating the provisions of Article (2) of the regulation of holidays, an employee is entitled to enjoy his previous balance of regular leave deserved before the Cabinet's Decision No. (552) dated 25/12/1437 H., yet not exceeding (120) days during just one year of his/her such balance and from his deserved annual leave. However, the employer will have the right to, according to the organization's interest, hold the employee's request to enjoy his previous balance of the regular leave referred to in paragraph (1) or reduce the period of leave, provided that the employee's balance of holidays will not be less than a balance of 36 days within three years. If the employee has already enjoyed a normal leave out of his/her previous balance remaining effective after the Cabinet's decision No. (552) dated 25/12/1437 H., the period of such leave shall be excluded from his/her balance of ordinary leave after the entry into force of this decision. 3/ All governmental agencies, including public institutions, bodies, funds and other persons of general moral status, each according to his/ her respective capacity, shall adjust the provisions relating to the ordinary leave of their employees in accordance with the above-mentioned provisions of item Second. Seventh: The Cabinet approved the final account of the Human Resources Development Fund for the two fiscal years (1434/1435) and (1435/1436) H. Eighth: The Cabinet approved the following promotions at the 15th and 14th ranks as well as the positions of ambassador and minister plenipotentiary: 1- Fahd bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Huzaili is promoted to the position of Undersecretary for Consumer Protection at the Ministry of Trade and Investment, 15th rank. 2- Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Daoud is promoted to the position of ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 3- Abdullah bin Saad bin Abdullah Al-Ajlan is promoted to the position of Financial Adviser at the naval forces of the Ministry of Defense, 14th the rank. 4- The following are each promoted to the position of Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: - Mansour bin Mohammed bin Murshed Al-Zeer - Ibrahim bin Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Subhi - Sahl bin Mustafa bin Ahmed Arqasus 5- Mohammed bin Mohammed Saleh bin Younis bin Hamad is promoted to the position of geological expert at the Saudi Geological Survey 14th rank. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of general issues on its agenda, including the annual report of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu on a previous financial year. The Cabinet took the necessary instructions.
