The Council of Ministers has called for an end to the bloodshed in Arab countries and for all warring parties to reach agreement on reforms needed to uphold the rights of all citizens. Chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting here, King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, briefed Cabinet members on the talks and consultations he had over the past week with a number of officials from sisterly countries, including Sheikh Naser Al-Muhammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti Premier. In a statement after the meeting, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, said the Council reviewed a number of reports on the continuing crises in several Arab countries. The Monarch, Khoja said, stressed that the Kingdom wants the security, stability, unity and independence of all Arab countries; and has been deeply affected by the death of many, including women and children. He appealed to all the parties to stop the bloodshed and carry out serious reforms to uphold everyone's rights and dignity. Al-Khoja said the ministers welcomed the launch of the national dialogue in Bahrain and the formation of an independent fact-finding committee to probe the root cause of the upheavals in that country, as per the directives of Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa. He said the ministers welcomed the return of security and stability in Bahrain and lauded the reform process introduced by the Bahraini government. Khoja said the Cabinet reiterated its rejection of any foreign intervention that might harm Bahrain or any other Gulf country. He said the Kingdom welcomed the formation of the Republic of South Sudan and hoped this would contribute to the stability and security of that region and fulfill the hopes and inspirations of the Sudanese people. The Cabinet also discussed local issues including the final accounts of the Commission for Organizing Electricity and Dual Production for the financial years 2007-10 in addition to appointments at Grade 14 and 15.
