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 Cabinet congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on what he has enjoyed of appreciation for his prominent role, constant attention to the issues of Islamic and Arab nations, and his efforts so that security and stability prevail in various countries of the world, stressing that awarding the King an honorary doctorate in international relations and achievement of the principles of peace and security from Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University and the global certificate, Al-Azhar honorary doctorate in human and social sciences, embodies this appreciation of the exploits of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his pioneering role in the service of international relations and achievement of the principles of peace and security in the world. The Cabinet was briefed on the content of the telephone call received by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques from President Barack Obama of the United States of America and the results of his talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, and the results of the talks held by the Crown Prince with the Foreign Minister of Kingdom of Denmark Martin Lidegaard, and Commander of United States Central Command General Lloyd J. Austin. 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 then reviewed a number of reports about the latest developments regionally and internationally, especially the efforts to counter terrorism in the region and the extremist organizations that stand behind it, stressing in this context the statement issued at the conclusion of the regional meeting of Foreign Ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, with the participation of Secretary of State of the United States of America, and the statement's affirmation of a common commitment to stand against the threats posed by terrorism in all its forms to the region and the world , including the so-called Organization of the Islamic State in Iraq. The Council of Ministers welcomed the formation of the new Iraqi government and its winning of the confidence of the Iraqi parliament. The Council of Ministers expressed hope that this will contribute to the return of security and stability to Iraq and consolidation of national unity and cohesion among various components of its people to build a secure and prosperous Iraq. On the occasion of the start of the twenty seventh session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the kingdom renewed its call on the international community to protect the rights of the Palestinian people and give them their right to self-determination and establishing of their independent state with Alquds as its capital. The kingdom expressed deep regret for not taking a decisive and courageous stand to end the suffering of the Syrian people who lost more than 191 thousand people and double that number as wounded at the hands of the Syrian regime which has lost legitimacy. The kingdom also reiterated its firm positions renouncing terrorism and extremism and rejecting and condemning the gross violations of human rights perpetrated by terrorist organizations in the name of Islam which is innocent of them. In this context, the Council of Ministers valued what was expressed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees of thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian assistance to refugees in various countries around the world through the Saudi relief committees and campaigns, which have had a deep impact on helping refugees, alleviating their suffering and meeting their needs. On local affairs, the minister said that the Council of Ministers extended thanks to various security agencies at the Ministry of the Interior and the Customs Department for succeeding in thwarting the smuggling, transport, reception and promotion of drugs worth more than one billion and 878 million riyals and arresting 1197 defendants during the past six months. The cabinet commended the vigilance of security men and coordination and integration among various departments in the follow-up and monitoring of those involved and thwarting their plans and protecting citizens from the scourge of drugs. The Cabinet also expressed appreciation for the contents of the Human Development Report 2014 issued by the United Nations Development Programme, and what has been included of data and statistics in which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's classification increased among the countries with very high human development, from (57) to (34) rank. This improvement is due to the remarkable development in the main components on which the Human Development Index depends, which is considered as the measurement that defines the achievements of countries in terms of human development to three main dimensions as follows: individual's health, acquisition of knowledge, and a decent standard of living. Dr. Khoja stated that based on the royal directive, the Cabinet was briefed, during its session held on 15/09/2014 on a number of topics, including topics that Majlis Al-Shura has taken part in their study. It was also briefed on the results of its Bureau of Experts; General Committee and its sub-committee in that regard. The Cabinet has decided the following: First: After reviewing the minutes of the Ministerial committee charged with studying the proposed controls to address the difficulties faced by the application of organizing the services of Umrah performers and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque coming from outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its executive regulation, the Cabinet approved a number of procedures, including the following: 1 - The amendment of organizing the services of Umrah performers and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque coming from outside the Kingdom, issued by the Cabinet's resolution No. (93) dated 20/09/1999. 2- The Interior Ministry shall apply the punishment contained in Article 60 of the residency regulation against any Umrah performers-serving company or establishment which trades in Umrah visas or provides any facility in fake programs and others leading to the arrival of people in the kingdom for purposes other than the original purpose. 3- The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Hajj shall stop providing the automated system to any Umrah performers-serving company or establishment that is proved to have failed in ensuring the return of those who came through it according to the stop controls contained in the executive law on regulating the services of pilgrims and visitors of the Prophet's Mosque coming from outside the Kingdom. Second: The cabinet agreed to postpone the transfer of jurisdiction of the investigation and prosecution in customs issues from the General Customs to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution for a period of four years starting from the end of the term of two years referred to in paragraph 3/B of item (First) of the decision of the Council of Ministers No. (34) dated on 26/1/1434 AH or until the transfer of the jurisdiction of the customs committees to the general judiciary whichever comes first. Thirdly: The Council of Ministers approved the general objectives of the tenth development Plan (1436/1437 H.- 1440/1441 H. The general objectives of the tenth development plan include twenty four goals in the forefront of which is preserving the values and teachings of Islam, promoting national unity and consolidating the identity of the kingdom. The objectives also include the following: 1 - To expand the capacity of the national economy and promote its growth, stability and competitiveness. 2 - To facilitate citizens' access to adequate housing in accordance with various programs and options meeting the demand. 3 - To enhance the institutional reform march, support the institutions of civil society and raise the efficiency and productivity of State agencies and their employees. 4 - To uphold the principles of accountability and transparency and the protection of integrity as well as anti-corruption. Fourth: The Cabinet approved to authorize the Minister of Housing - or his deputy - to discuss with the Egyptian side the draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of housing between the Ministry of Housing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and to sign it before submitting the final signed version to complete the statutory procedures. Fifth: After consideration of Majlis Al-Shura's resolution No. (94/41) dated 07/09/2013, the Cabinet approved the introduction of a number of amendments to the law of time sharing in the tourist real estate units, issued by the Royal Decree No. (M / 52) dated 13/09/2006. Among those amendments, the addition of a new paragraph under No. (3) to Article (IV) of the Law with the following text: '3 - Non-Saudis shall be prohibited - in accordance with the law's provisions - from the following: A - Practice the activity of time sharing, or its marketing, in the cities of Makkah and Madinah. B - Acquisition of any right under time sharing contracts without the way of inheritance of tourist real estate units located in the cities of Makkah and Madinah, and any action otherwise shall be deemed null and void.' A royal decree has been prepared for this purpose. Sixth: The Cabinet approved the appointment of Tariq bin Ziyad bin Abdulrahman Al-Sudairi as member of Board of Directors of Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) representing the licensed brokerage companies. Seventh: The Cabinet approved appointments as follows: 1-Dr. Sami bin Abdullah bin Othman Al-Saleh as ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2- Prince Saud bin Fahd bin Abdullah Al Saud as Undersecretary of Governorate for Security Affairs (rank 15th) at Riyadh region governorate. 3- Saad bin Abdullah bin Saad Al-Mufreh as financial advisor (rank 15th) at the Ministry of Health. 4- Abdullah bin Suleiman bin Mansour Al-Maiman as Director General of Financial Affairs (rank 14th) at General Staff Presidency of the Ministry of Defense. 5- Dr. Hashim bin Abdullah bin Hashim Shata as Minister Plenipotentiary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 6- Abdulaziz bin Saleh bin Abdulrahman Al-Muhanna as Administrative Advisor (rank 14th) at the Ministry of National Guard. 7- Ibrahim bin Abdulkarim bin Saleh Al-Khatib as adviser for issues affairs (rank 14th) at Riyadh region Governorate. 8- Yusuf bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Saadi as Sector Head at the Ministry of Finance. The Cabinet was briefed on annual reports of Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and Grievances Board for fiscal years (1428-1434 AH) 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.
