Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Monday afternoon. At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince and members of the Cabinet congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the ninth anniversary of his assumption of power, praying to Allah Almighty to preserve the King, crown his efforts with all success, and bestow constant good health on him ,and for the Kingdom's continuing security, safety and cohesion between the leadership and the people. The Cabinet stressed that what has been witnessed of developmental projects and achievements for the homeland and its citizens in a record time embodies the King's interest in the citizens of the dear homeland and his keenness on the prevalence of prosperity throughout the Kingdom, emphasizing that the wise policy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques towards various issues at Islamic, Arab and international arenas has achieved the Kingdom's leading position at the international level. The Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohiuddin Khoja said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session that Cabinet reviewed a number of developments of events and their consequences, including the Syrian crisis and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation of the Syrian people due to the regime's continuing challenges to Arab, Islamic and international will, expressing deep concern for the outcome of the humanitarian situation of the Syrian people, and renewing the Kingdom's calls to the international community to deliver aid and relief materials to the injured, sick, homeless and displaced people. The Council noted in this context that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to support those affected by the Syrian crisis through the Saudi national campaign to support the brothers in Syria, stressing that the Saudi national campaign to support the brothers in Syria is the only body authorized to deliver aid and still continues to receive donations in cash and kind and implement many of the activities, programs and humanitarian relief for those affected. The Council of Ministers welcomed the reconciliation agreement between the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, which was based on Makkah Al-Mukarramah Agreement, expressing hope that this agreement will be an important step to strengthen the Palestinian national unity and the Palestinian decision for the future of the Palestinian cause. The minister said that the cabinet then reviewed a number of scientific, cultural and economic conferences and gatherings that took place during the week under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, noting in this regard the opening of the XIV Scientific Forum for Hajj Research; the Second World Conference on combating terrorism under the title of 'ideological revisions and practical solutions'; the second scientific conference under the title 'the national economy, challenges and ambitions; Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud competition to memorize Hadith in its ninth session; and the conference on knowledge economy and its role in national development. Dr. Khoja said that, based on the royal directives, the Cabinet was briefed during its session held on 28/04/2014 on a number of issues, including topics studied by Majlis Al-Shura. The cabinet was also briefed on the outcome of the Cabinet's Bureau of Experts, General Committee and its subcommittee in this regard, and concluded the following: First: After reviewing 177th minutes of the Higher Committee for Administrative Organization to study the organizational structure of Ministry of Labor, the Cabinet approved an administrative organization for the Ministry of Labor's court and an organizational structure for the Ministry's branches in districts and labor offices in the governorates according to the formulas contained herein. Second: The Cabinet approved the authorization of the Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense - or his deputy - to discuss with the Romanian side a draft agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Romania for cooperation in the field of defense, and sign it before submitting the final version to complete the statutory procedures. Third: The Cabinet approved the authorization of the Foreign Minister - or his deputy - to discuss the two draft conventions for cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and both of the Government of the Republic of Gambia and the Government of the Republic of the Comoros and sign them, before submitting the two final versions , to complete statutory procedures. 1- Formation of a standing committee at the Ministry of the Interior under the name (Standing Committee on Transfer of Persons Sentenced to Freedom Deprivation Punishments.) The committee shall include representatives with competence and jurisdiction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution. 2- Among the tasks of the Commission Shall be the following: A- Taking the necessary measures to enforce the obligations contained in (bilateral and multilateral) treaties and agreements on transfer of persons sentenced to freedom deprivation punishments and arrangements concerning them. B- Receiving requests for the transfer of persons sentenced to freedom deprivation punishments, their preparation, study, submission and taking all necessary actions in this regard. C- Coordination with concerned parties inside and outside the Kingdom with regard to the transfer of persons sentenced to freedom deprivation punishments. Fifth: The Cabinet approved the (amended) Unified Agreement for the Investment of Arab Capital in the Arab States, issued by the third regular session of the Arab economic and social development summit which was held in Riyadh on 9 and 10/03/1434 AH. Sixth: After reviewing the report submitted by the Governor of Public Education Assessment Commission, the Cabinet approved the appointment of the following as members of its Board of Directors for a period of three years effective from the date of the decision as follows 1- Dr. Fahd bin Suleiman Al-Shaya, as a representatives from Saudi Society for Educational and Psychological Sciences 2- Dr. Ibrahim bin Mubarak Al-Dosari; Dr. Mohammed bin Shahat Al-Khatib; Dr. Ahmed Saeed bin Ahmed Al-Afandi; Dr. Iqbal bint Zine El Abidine Drandri as experts in the Commission's activity. 3- Engineer Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Obeikan as representative from the private sector. Seventh: The Cabinet approved appointments as follows: 1- Engineer Mohammed bin Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al-Sadhan as Civil Engineer Consultant (rank 14th) at Royal Saudi Naval Forces at Ministry of Defense . 2- Abdulrahman bin Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Gharir as Director General of Financial Affairs (rank 14th) at Directorate General of Medical Services of the Armed Forces of Ministry of Defense. 3- Abdullah bin Hajjaj bin Mishaan Al-Mutairi as Minister Plenipotentiary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 4- Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Bawardi as Regular Expert / A (rank 15th) at Bureau of Experts of the Cabinet effective from 01/07/1435 AH . 5- Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Ali Al-Suhaibani as Regular Expert / A (rank 14th) at Bureau of Experts of the Cabinet effective from 01/07/1435 AH. The cabinet was briefed on two annual reports of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments , Call and Guidance and the General Organization for Social Insurance for an earlier fiscal year. It was also briefed on the decisions of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Arab States in its 130th session, which was held in Riyadh on 3/5/1435 AH. The cabinet took note of the contents of the annual reports and decisions of the Ministerial Council and issued its directives towards them. The Cabinet's General Secretariat will submit the Cabinet's decisions to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his directives in this regard.
