Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier, Advisor and Special Envoy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Monday afternoon. At the outset of the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the telephone call received by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from the Prime Minister of Britain, and it reviewed the discussions, consultations and efforts at various levels on the latest developments and events in a number of brotherly Arab countries and the latest developments at the international arena. 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 the Cabinet expressed its resentment and regret for the continuation of the tragic events in the occupied Palestinian territories and a number of Arab countries, which witness every day a number of killed and wounded people, including women and children and the destruction of infrastructure in tragic images and events of unprecedented brutality and mass destruction exceeding all limits of humanity. The Cabinet renewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's appeals and repeated calls to the international community, represented by its various organizations, to shoulder its humanitarian and ethical responsibilities to stop the bloodshed, and assume an active role ensuring a decent life being prevailed by security and stability for all peoples to achieve the purposes of heavenly religions in the construction of the earth, and maintain the system of coexistence on it. In this context, the cabinet appreciated explanation by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti's of the great purposes of the Islamic religion characterized by tolerance, convenience and moderation; his statement's mentioning of the circumstances that are prevailing in the Islamic nation which have disrupted many nations and many ideas; his assertion that the most dangerous ideas are those marketed in the name of religion to earn holiness for which lives are sacrificed; his warning to Muslims against division; and his warning also from the ideas of extremism, militancy and terrorism which spoil the world and are not of Islam at all. The minister said that the Council of Ministers welcomed the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Arab countries which are members of the International Contact Group on Syrian affairs which dealt with the overall situation in the region and the developments of the situation in Syria. The cabinet condemned the terrorist attack that targeted worshipers at a mosque in Diyala province in Iraq claiming the lives of dozens of innocent people and reiterated the kingdom's denunciation and condemnation of all acts of terrorism and its call for concerted efforts to eradicate terrorism whatever might be its source and location. The Council of Ministers appreciated the United States' tribute to the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the fight against terrorism; its programs which have achieved great success in fighting terrorism and reducing the capabilities of the terrorists; and its constructive cooperation at the international level to combat terrorism. It also appreciated thanks by the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its generous assistance through which the World Food Programme succeeded in providing food aid to hundreds of thousands of displaced Iraqis. On domestic affairs, the Council of Ministers extended congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince and Deputy Crown Prince for achievement by the kingdom's national team for athletes with special needs of mental disability of world football cup. The Deputy Crown Prince extended congratulations and thanks to the members of the team and the General Presidency for Youth Welfare for the new world achievement accomplished by the people of the kingdom. Dr. Khoja said that the cabinet discussed a number of topics and took the following decisions: First: The cabinet approved an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Poland for cooperation in the field of defense, signed in Riyadh on 5-2-1435 AH. Among the most prominent features of this agreement are: 1- The two parties shall cooperate in a number of areas, including military education training; defense-related technology transfer; research and development in the field of military technical information; logistics; and military medical and health services. 2- Exchange of military information and experiences; exchange of military experts and cadets; and attendance of military conferences, scientific symposia, exhibitions, exercises and other official events organized by either party. Second: After reviewing a report of Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, the Cabinet approved the amendment to the Cabinet decision No. (66) dated 05/10/1401 AH, to be read as follows: 'Secretariats - in investment projects of municipal real estate sites allocated for multi-stories parking - shall set a portion does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the parking building for external use. Thirdly: The Cabinet approved the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's accession to the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters amended in the provisions of the (protocol) of the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, which entered into force on 01/06/2011 AD. Fourth: After reviewing a report of Minister of Health and Chairman of the Council of Health Services, regarding the amendment of articles 16 and 17 of the health system issued by Royal Decree dated 23/03/1423 AH, the Cabinet approved the amendment of articles referred to concerning the composition of a Council in the name of (Saudi health Council), and addition of paragraphs relating to the functions of the Council in accordance with the details contained in the decision. The cabinet approved the final accounts of the Saudi Wildlife Commission for fiscal years (1432/1433 H.) and (1433/1434 H). Sixth: The Council of Ministers approved the kingdom's accession to Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and the Special Equipment to be Used for such Carriage (ATP). Seventh: The Cabinet approved the following appointments. 1- Mosaed bin Abdulrahman bin Zamel Al-Drees to the job of Director General of the port (rank fifteenth) at the General Organization of Ports. 2- Dr. Osama Bin Hussein Bin Ibrahim Al-Mansouri to job of planning expert (rank fifteenth) at the Ministry of Economy and Planning. 3- Eng. Saleh bin Mohammed bin Saad Al-Ghurairy to the job of consultant civil engineer (rank fourteenth) at the General Directorate of Military Works, Ministry of Defence. 4- Suleiman bin Khlaiwi bin Sharar Alharbi to the job of Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs (rank fourteenth) at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The cabinet was briefed on annual reports of two government agencies for previous fiscal years and issued its directives towards them. The cabinet's General Secretariat will submit the results of this session to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his directives in this regard.
