The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session held at Al-Salam Palace here today. At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the talks, consultations and contacts that took place during the past days with a number of leaders of brotherly and friendly countries and their envoys on the bilateral relations and the latest developments at international arenas in various fields, including the telephone call he received from President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal and the audiences he held for Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hailemariam Dessalegn of Ethiopia, Arab League Secretary General Amr Mousa and Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry Christine Lagarde of France. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja said the Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on the latest developments in a number of Arab countries and their dangerous repercussions which resulted in causalities and injuries. The Cabinet stressed the Kingdom's firm stances towards them and the importance of addressing them in a manner that ensures preservation of the lives of citizens and the integrity and stability of Arab countries. Dr. Khoja said the Cabinet condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by a group of Israeli extremists as well as setting fire to a mosque in the West Bank by Jewish extremists. The Cabinet reaffirmed the calls of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the international community to shoulder its responsibilities against the Israeli unilateral and aggressive practices in occupied Palestinian and Arab territories. The Cabinet warned that the persistence of the Israeli authorities and continuation of its attacks will further instability and violence in the region. Minister of Culture and Information said the Cabinet discussed a number of local issues, expressing appreciation for the endeavors exerted by the sons and daughters of the motherland in these days of academic tests, in order to excel. The Minister wished them good luck and reiterated thanks and appreciation for the keenness shown by both male and female teachers and other education staff in the academic domain, to provide an appropriate atmosphere conducive to the students goals. Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja said, following the end of the Cabinet session, in a press statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Cabinet proceeded to discussing other topics on its agenda and issued a number of decisions as follows: The Cabinet approved to grant Saudi Electricity Company a sum of SR 51,100,000,000 as an interest-free loan for 25 years to finance electricity-related projects as well as to finance an expected fiscal deficit in implementing urgently needed electrical projects, as their contracts should be concluded during the two years of 1432/1433H. The Cabinet authorized President of Human Rights Commission - or his deputy - to discuss with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Office a draft memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Office and to forward the signed copy to finalize the legal procedure. The Cabinet approved a number of appointments as follows: 1- Misfer bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Basher transferred from the post of Director General of Administrative and Financial Affairs (Rank 14) to the post of Administrative Consultant (Rank 14) at the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution. 2- Hamid bin Sebti bin Abdulrahman Al-Ghamdi appointed to the post of Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 3- Saud bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Dayel appointed to the post of Director of the Department (Rank 14) at the General Intelligence Presidency. 4- Mohammed bin Ali bin Ahmed Al-Ghamdi appointed to the post of Director General of Al-Hadithah Customs (Rank 14) at the Saudi Customs.
