RIYADH – The Council of Ministers Monday condemned the Israeli aggression on the Syrian territory and considered it a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Arab state. The Cabinet session, chaired by Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, called the attack a violation of the UN Charter as well as the norms of international law and the UN Security Council resolutions. Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja, said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session that the Cabinet also welcomed a report of the international committee, formed by the UN Human Rights Council, about Israeli violations of human rights in occupied Palestinian and Arab territories. At the outset of the session, Crown Prince Salman welcomed Prince Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Adviser and Special Envoy to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, to the Cabinet, wishing him success. The Cabinet also congratulated Prince Muqrin on his appointment as Second Deputy Premier. While reviewing the latest developments in the regional and global arenas, the Cabinet commended the efforts of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, in holding the global donors' conference on Syria and its outcome in the form of generous contributions. Dr. Khoja said that the Cabinet welcomed the call by Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa for a national dialogue with the involvement of all sections of the Bahraini society. The Cabinet hoped that the dialogue would contribute in further strengthening national unity and maintaining Bahrain's sovereignty. The Cabinet approved amendment to Article 11 of the Officers' Service Regulation with regard to determining seniority of military officers who are graduates of colleges within the Kingdom and outside when their graduation dates are identical. It also endorsed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Water and Electricity and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in the field of water management and sanitation, signed in Riyadh on Sept. 18, 2011. Dr. Khoja said the Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Islamic Development Bank to strengthen cooperation in social and humanitarian fields. The MoU was signed in Jeddah on May 21, 2011. It also ratified a cooperation agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and France with regard to developing peaceful use of nuclear energy. The agreement was signed in Riyadh on Feb. 12, 2011. – SG
