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. 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 expressed its pride on the occasion of the 84 anniversary of the National Day of the Kingdom, and its thanks and praise to Allah Almighty for what is being enjoyed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, from safety, security, stability, national unity and cohesion between the leadership and the people, thanks to the establishment of the foundations of this glorious country on the Holy Quran and Prophetic Sunnah which have led to dissemination of Justice, application of the religion of Islam and its tolerant teachings and human values; the Kingdom has managed since its inception at the hands of the founder late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud to disseminate these values all over the world in love of goodness and peace for all mankind. The Crown Prince, princes and member ministers of the Cabinet prayed to Allah Almighty to reward the founder of this glorious entity late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud (May Allah bestow mercy upon his soul), and after him late kings Saud, Faisal, Khaled and Fahd, the best rewards for what they have achieved for the homeland since its foundation, and to crown with full success the efforts of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and grant him the best rewards for what is being witnessing by the Kingdom under his wise leadership in a new situation full of various projects and gigantic achievements throughout the homeland in all sectors. The minister said that the Council of Ministers reviewed a number of reports on the evolution of events regionally and internationally, especially with regard to the continued efforts to fight terrorism. In this context, it stressed the statement issued by the Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom on terrorism, its danger and its fighting and the statement's characterization of terrorism as a heinous crime and an injustice and aggression that Sharia and common sense reject with all its forms and that its perpetrator deserves deterrent punishment in accordance with provisions of Islamic Sharia and the requirements of keeping its jurisdiction, and the prohibition of rebellion against the ruler. The cabinet expressed thanks and appreciation to the senior scholars for the statement's clarification of this phenomenon, warning against it, recommendations to uphold the Islamic religion which came as mercy to people and for the interest of humans in short and long terms; support for the state in going after those belonging to the categories of terrorism; call on scholars to do their duty to instruct the people in this dangerous regard; condemnation of the fatwas and opinions issued to justify or encourage this crime and prevention of those who dare to attack the religion and scholars as well as its indication that the religion of Islam encourages consensus and prohibits division, partisanship and disobedience of Muslims' rulers. The Council of Ministers expressed the kingdom's deep regret for the events that occurred in Yemen and that threaten its security and stability and welcomed in this context the agreement of peace and national partnership signed by the political parties in Yemen yesterday evening, expressing hope that this agreement will enable fraternal Yemen to overcome its crisis, pointing out what was expressed by the statement issued by the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council in its meeting in New York and its assertion of standing by Yemen and its support for President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his efforts to maintain the legitimacy and stop bloodshed. The council also commended the convening of the Conference on Security and Peace in Iraq, which ended in the French capital of Paris with the participation of 30 countries, and the participants' pledge to support brotherly Iraq in its war against the so-called ISIS organization and the need to eliminate it because it poses a threat to everyone and requires fighting and responding to it with a collective spirit. The council expressed its appreciation for the convening of the "Conference of the Arabian Gulf and Regional Challenges" organized by the Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Riyadh in cooperation with the Gulf Research Center in Dubai, noting the conference's calls to address and respond to the risks and challenges that surround the area with regional and international cooperation to contain the explosive conflicts which have become a great threat to the stability and security of the international community. The Council reviewed a number of topics on local affairs and was briefed on the results of a number of scientific and economic meetings, and was reassured on the preparations by governmental and private organizations participating in the work of Hajj for this year and efforts exerted to provide the best services to pilgrims under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to pave way for pilgrims to perform their rituals in all comfort and reassurance, and their benefit from the projects provided by the state in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites. Dr. Khoja said that the cabinet took the following decisions: The Cabinet approved a defense cooperation agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, signed in Jakarta on 22/03/1435H. The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, signed on 14/01/1435H. The Cabinet approved the renewal of the membership of Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Samari in the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities. The Cabinet also approved the appointment of Dr. Hani bin Mohammed Abu Ras, Dr. Abdulwahid bin Khalid Al-Hamid, Eng. Abdullah bin Said Al-Mubati, Mansour bin Saleh Al-Maiman, Eng. Abdullah bin Ali Al-Majdouie, and Abdulwahab bin Mohammed Al-Fayez as members of the Board of Directors of the Authority for three years.
