The Council of Ministers welcomed the formation of South Sudan and recognized the country officially. It also expressed its readiness to establish full diplomatic ties and hoped that the state will play an effective role as a new member of the international community. It also hoped that this recognition would result in mutual respect and fruitful cooperation, and wished the people of the Republic of South Sudan prosperity and progress. Chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting Monday King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, praised the efforts of the Ministerial Committee for the Arab Peace Initiative for urging the United Nations member states to recognize the State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem its capital. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the meeting, Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, said support was growing for the Palestinians. Cabinet also urged the international community to compel Israel to respect international laws and withdraw fully from all Arab land occupied in 1967 to pave the way for the foundation of an independent Palestinian State. He said Cabinet also condemned the series of explosions in Mumbai, India, which resulted in several deaths and injuries. The Cabinet condemned terrorism in all its forms and extended its condolences to the Indian government, people and families of the victims. Khoja said the monarch briefed Cabinet on the talks he held with President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan, stressing the deep-rooted relations between the two brotherly countries. He also outlined messages he received from President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and his meeting with Sheikh Jassim Bin Jabr Aal-Thani, the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. On domestic issues, Cabinet approved the recommendation of Prince Saud Al-Faisal regarding the draft of the Declaration of Human Duties and Responsibilities (DHDR). He said Cabinet approved a number of measures including the formation of a team from the Foreign Ministry with representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Islamic Affairs, Justice and Experts Commission at the Council of Ministers and Human Rights Commission, stressing that all the members should be highly qualified in areas related to the DHDR. – SG/SPAThe team has to study the draft declaration and represent the Kingdom at all meetings which will be held to produce the declaration.
