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 contacts and consultations that took place during the past few days, including the telephone call he received from President Michel Suleiman of the Republic of Lebanon. 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 repercussions on security and stability in the region and the entire world, including the massacre that led to the death of more than 100 people in the town of Hula in Homs, Syria. The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom's firm condemnation for this massacre and all continuing acts of violence in Syria which killed scores of innocent people, stressing the importance that the international community has humanitarian responsibilities to stop the bloodshed continuing in Syria on daily basis and also the use of force against unarmed civilians. The Cabinet lauded the positive and constructive atmosphere orchestrating the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Yemen, held in Riyadh, where the heads of delegations stressed full support for unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen and vowed commitment to the principle of non-interference in the Yemeni internal affairs in order to achieve its developmental goals. The Cabinet also appreciated the Kingdom's contribution of $3.250 billion to support developmental projects in Yemen, a contribution that reflects the Kingdom's keenness on the security, stability and development of Yemen. Dr. Khoja said the Cabinet discussed a number of issues on domestic affairs, appreciating the adoption of the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's initiative on crowd medicine and human gatherings which aims at maintaining global health security. WHO adopts the Kingdom's initiative in recognition of its efforts in monitoring epidemics and treating ailing pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors who rush to it from all parts of the world at seasonal religious occasions, setting a case study for professionals and specialists in the health security all over the world. Dr. Khoja said the Cabinet then continued its discussion of the domestic agenda and issued the following decisions: The Cabinet approved the real estate accredited evaluators aiming at organizing this sector through forging the necessary rules and standards for the evaluation of real estate, economic facilities, equipment and movable property and so on as well as developing the career and improving the living conditions of the working staff. In this regard, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the 'Saudi Commission for Accredited Evaluators', a non-profit organization with legal personality and independent budget. It operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Cabinet approved the conversion of the Saudi radio and television, now integral organs of the Ministry of Culture and Information, into a public commission entitled 'Radio and Television Commission' and to transfer the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), also an affiliate of the Ministry, into a public commission entitled 'Saudi Press Agency'. These two commissions will be administratively linked to the Minister of Culture and Information and shall have a board of directors headed by the Minister of Culture and Information. The aim of the Radio and Television Commission is to transmit the Kingdom's message and vision inside and outside the Kingdom by using state-of-the-art devices and tools and to enhance the level of radio and television programs. This commission shall be administered by an official of the excellent Rank. The aim of the Saudi Press Agency is to cover events and news and highlight issues and developments of various organizations in the Kingdom, follow-up, report and transmit the local, regional and international developments, particularly those relevant events to the Kingdom. Saudi Press Agency contributes to further promoting the media and press professionalism in the Kingdom and keeps pace with the professional and technical developments and changes in the field of its interest. It shall have a chairman of no less than Rank 15. The Experts Commission at the Cabinet is to prepare a draft organization for each of the Radio and Television Commission and the Saudi Press Agency in accordance with today's Cabinet decision within a period not exceeding six months. The Cabinet approved a package of measures, including paying an annual premium of not more than three months salary for every member of the team enforcing the rules against trade cover-up. The Cabinet approved the regulations of the National Center for Studies and Social Research (NCSSR) which grant the center a legal personality. The Center's administration reports directly to the Minister of Social Affairs. Conducting social research and studies on social issues, phenomena and problems in the Kingdom, NCSSR serves as a think tank for the Ministry. The Cabinet approved a number of transfers and appointments as follows: 1- appointment of Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Assaf as Administrative consultant (rank 15) at the General Presidency for the Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque Affairs; 2- appointment of Tareq bin Abdullah bin Fahd Al-Rasheed as Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; 3- transfer of Fahd bin Saad bin Awad Al-Ruwais from the position of administrative consultant (ran 14) to the post of Director General of Administrative and Financial Affairs (same rank) at the Ministry of Culture and Information; 4- appointment of Saleh bin Mohammed Al-Harbi as Administrative Consultant (rank 14) at the Ministry of Culture and Information; 5- appointment of Othman bin Nasser Al-Muhaimeed as Financial Consultant (rank 14) at the General Auditing Bureau.
