Vice Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's Session which was held at Al-Salam palace in Jeddah today. At the outset of the meeting, the Vice Custodian of Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the results of the audience the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud held for King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the contents of the telephone call King Salman received from President Emmanuel Macron of France, whereas they reviewed ways of combating terrorism and extremism, agreed on the importance of exerting more effort to dry up the sources of terror and affirmed the keenness of the two countries on the security and stability of the region. The Vice Custodian of Two Holy Mosques also briefed the Cabinet on his meeting with the Iraqi minister of petroleum Eng. Jabbar Al-Loaibi, reiterating the keenness of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the stability of Iraq and its determination to further boost relations with it in all fields in a way that benefits the two countries' peoples. In a statement to SPA following the meeting, Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, Minister of Culture and Information, explained that the Cabinet continued its review of the preparedness of all ministries and sectors participating in the service of pilgrims, confirming the importance of providing the utmost levels of comfort, reassurance and security for all visitors of the two holy mosques and other sacred places, confirming, in this regard, the absolute rejection of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of all calls targeting politicizing Hajj, what so ever, as pilgrims and Umrah performers are guests of God Almighty who will meet their calls if they called Him and forgive them if they appealed to him. The Cabinet forwarded thanks to and appreciation of the Vice Custodian of Two Holy Mosques for his donation worth SR23 million in support of charities in Riyadh region at his own expense, benefiting 11680 males and females belonging to 14 charitable associations, a gesture which comes as part of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Supportive Project for Charities all over the Kingdom, emanating from his belief of the importance of their role in enhancing and supporting individuals of the society, conducing to a positive social impact on this non-profit sector and increasing its contribution through supporting social-oriented projects and programs. The Cabinet took note of the graduation ceremony under the patronage of Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of the first batch of Imam Mohammad bin Saud Islamic University associate students enrolled on the university's off-class developed program as they are serving as soldiers stationed in the determination storm and the restoration of hope operations in the southern border, appreciating the role of the soldiers in action, their determination to continue studying from distance and keenness on educational attainment as they are honored of defending their homeland at its borders. The minister pointed out that Cabinet lauded the achievement scored by the State budget for the second quarter of fiscal year 1438/1439 H., citing its noticeable positive performance through syphoning more revenues along with improving public expenditure efficiency and reducing the fiscal deficit while maintaining the level of basic services being provided for citizens as priorities of government spending. The Cabinet lauded report on the improvement in the performance of public finances of the state, confirming the progress made in a balanced financial performance in the medium term, as well as the effectiveness of the reforms and economic measures, included in the national transformation program within the vision of the Kingdom 2030, which contributed to pumping more non-oil revenues. The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation of the terrorist attacks that targeted Al-Arish town in the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mirza Olang village of northern Afghanistan, the explosion in a market in the Pakistani city of Quetta, and the terrorist attack in a restaurant in Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, reaffirming the solidarity of the Kingdom and its support for those States against all forms of terrorism and extremism, and offering condolence to the families of the victims, governments and peoples of those countries, wishing the inured a speedy recovery. The Cabinet also expressed condemned the stampede incident in the suburb of Luvalois-Péré in Paris, reiterating the Kingdom's solidarity with the French government and people. Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad said that the Cabinet reviewed the topics on the agenda of its meeting, including the subjects co-studied by the Shura Council and concluded the following: First: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Health, who is also the Chairman of the Health Services Council, or his deputy, to discuss with the Tunisian side a draft memorandum of understanding on cooperation in health fields between the Saudi Center for Health Facilities Accreditation in Saudi Arabia and the National Commission for Accreditation in the Health Sector in the Republic of Tunisia, sign it, and then submit the final version, to complete formal procedures. Second: The Cabinet approved a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Civil Service in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Office of Personnel Management in the United States of America, signed in Washington DC on 25/1/1438 H. Third: The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding in the fields of consumer protection, control of goods and services between the Ministry of Commerce and Investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, signed in Riyadh on 15/2/1438 H.
