Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday afternoon . At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince prayed to Allah Almighty on the occasion of the advent of the new Hijri year 1435 AH to bestow in this year the blessings and peace on Arab and Islamic nations and other countries of the world and that the whole world witnesses the end of the crises facing it. On the occasion of selecting the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud among the top ten most influential personalities in the world, the Crown Prince talked about the prestigious status and influential role of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques at Arab, Islamic, and international arenas. The Crown Prince said, "This prestigious status of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and what is being witnessed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of progress, comprehensive development and substantial efforts at international arenas to serve Islam, Muslims and all humanity have had a significant impact on the Kingdom's winning under the leadership of the King advanced positions in the international rankings, praying to Allah Almighty to crown the King's efforts with all success and preserve him for the interests of Islam and Muslims". The Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), following the session that the Cabinet discussed the latest developments of events in the region and the world and the Arab and international efforts towards them. The Cabinet condemned the decision of the Israeli occupation authorities to build 1,500 new housing units in occupied Quds City, stressing that these decisions constitute an obstacle to peace, a flagrant violation of the international legitimacy resolutions, and an outrageous assault on the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. The Cabinet renewed its call on the international community to pressurize Israel to stop its insistence on violation of international laws and continuing pursuit to change the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. The cabinet was briefed on a report on the extraordinary meeting of the Council of the Arab League on the latest developments in Syria, commending the Arab position in support of the Syrian National Coalition and its negotiating position demanding the international guarantees needed for the care and success of the path of a peaceful negotiated solution of the Geneva Conference 2 and for ensuring an agreement on the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers according to the Geneva Statement on 30 June 2012 which was adopted by the Security Council. The cabinet emphasized the firm stance of maintaining the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Syria and the importance of the United Nations Security Council's shouldering of its responsibilities towards dealing with the Syrian crisis and its serious repercussions and not to limit the dealing with the crisis to the issue of removing the chemical weapons. Dr. Khoja said that then, the Council touched on a number of issues on local affairs and continued to discuss its agenda and issued the following decisions: First: After seeing what was submitted by the Minister of Interior, the cabinet decided to approve the disbursement of a financial reward of 5% of the value of money confiscated by a court judgment to whomever within the kingdom - other than those who work in financial institutions, the specified non-financial businesses and professions and non-profit organizations - reports money laundering or terrorist financing operations if he presents evidence which is fit to rely on to begin an investigation and a final judgment is issued proving the crime and he neither was a partner nor an intermediary in its perpetration. If the reporter was more than one, the reward shall be divided among them according to their efforts and based on a mechanism that shall be decided by the Minister of Interior. The cabinet's decision also included other items related to the topic. Second: The cabinet approved a number of arrangements for the public transport project in the city of Madinah including the approval of the project of public transport in Madinah with all its components of a network of metro and express bus network and associated components. The duration for the implementation of the project shall be eight years. A higher committee shall be formed for supervision. Third: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments , Call and Guidance - or his deputy - to discuss with the Comoros side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments , Call and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs of the Republic of the Comoros in the field of Islamic Affairs and endowments and sign it in the light of the text attached to the decision and then submit the final signed version to complete the statutory procedures. Second: The cabinet approved a number of arrangements for the public transport project in the city of Madinah including the approval of the project of public transport in Madinah with all its components of a network of metro and express bus network and associated components. The duration for the implementation of the project shall be eight years. A higher committee shall be formed for supervision. Third: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments , Call and Guidance - or his deputy - to discuss with the Comoros side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments , Call and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs of the Republic of the Comoros in the field of Islamic Affairs and endowments and sign it in the light of the text attached to the decision and then submit the final signed version to complete the statutory procedures.
