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. The Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohiuddin Khoja said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session that the Cabinet was briefed on the results of the visit of Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and his talks with the leaders of Pakistan, which reflected the close historical ties between the two countries and their peoples, the size of joint cooperation in many fields, and continuing coordination between them on regional and international issues. The Cabinet reviewed the results of the meeting of 'Friends of Syria', held on Sunday in the French capital of Paris, renewing its call to the international community to help the Syrian people to self-determination, defend themselves against repression, enable them to control their future, and end the current tyrannical regime through the implementation a genuine political transition process. The Cabinet welcomed the announcement by Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, that Kuwait will host the second international conference for donors to support the humanitarian situation in Syria on Wednesday, hoping that the results of the Conference alleviate the sufferings of the brotherly Syrian people, especially the displaced people. The Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom's firm position on the peace process in the region, stressing the importance that the talks lead to achieving a comprehensive and just peace which enables the Palestinian people to regain their rights within their independent state with Al-Quds as its capital, and denouncing the decisions of the Israeli occupation authorities to build 1,400 new housing units in the West Bank including occupied Al-Quds in repeated violations to the international legitimacy resolutions which undermine the entire peace process. The Cabinet discussed a number of reports on regional and international latest developments. The Minister of Culture and Information said that based on royal directives, the cabinet was briefed during its meeting on 12.3.1435 H. on a number of topics. Accordingly, the cabinet decided the following: First: After reviewing the minutes of the committee formed by a royal order to study support for the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities financially and administratively to carry out the tasks entrusted to it under the regulations and the minutes of the committee formed by a royal order to examine King Abdullah Project for Taking Care of Cultural Heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia proposed by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, the cabinet approved a number of arrangements in this regard, including the following: 1- Emphasis on the continued activation of the partnership between the public and private sectors in order to achieve a positive impact on tourism investments, and taking the necessary measures to accelerate the establishment of companies for development of tourism in various regions. The state and the private sector shall participate in the capitals of the these companies so as to contribute to the development of local communities. 2- The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities shall provide investment opportunities suitable for the private sector in the promising tourist sites. In them, the state shall create the infrastructure necessary for the success of these investments. The government agencies shall give the infrastructure projects the necessary priority in their draft budgets required for the coming financial years. 3- Approval of King Abdullah Project for Taking Care of Cultural Heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to the text attached to the decision, as being an important, national and historical project and expediting the completion of projects of sites related to the history of the state and national unity. Second: After reviewing what has been submitted by the Minister of Communications and Information Technology and President of Board of Directors of the Communications and Information Technology Commission, and after reviewing the recommendation of the Standing Committee of the Supreme Economic Council No. (37/33) dated 16/05/1433 AH, the Council of Ministers approved the following: 1 - Cancellation of the license for the establishment of the optical communications company, approved by the Royal Decree No. (M/4) date 29/02/1429 AH. A royal decree has been prepared to for this purpose. 2 - Cancellation of the approval of the license of the optical communications company union for establishing and operating a public and fixed communications network with all its components according to the Cabinet Resolution No. (38) dated 18/02/1429 AH. Third: The Cabinet approved appointment of Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Abdullatif to the post of president of the Supreme Commission for the settlement of labor disputes.
