Saudi Arabia has called upon all Arab countries to overcome their differences, seek reconciliation and unite to find plausible solutions for many regional problems, particularly the Palestinian cause. The call came during the weekly Cabinet meeting presided over by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques here, Monday. The Cabinet lauded King Abdullah's speech at the Kuwait Economic Summit last week which urged a collaborative action, renouncing differences and division among the Arab countries. Dr. Jubarah Bin Eid Al-Suraiseri, Minister of Transport and Acting Minister of Culture and Information, said the Cabinet viewed the King's speech as having a wise vision that exposed the reality of difference and proposed solution to the current Arab situation. The speech was also frank, clear, transparent, and keen on overcoming differences and strengthening ties among all Arab states so that they can meet the challenges facing them. The minister said the King briefed the Cabinet on the overall meetings, contacts, and consultations which he held with leaders of brotherly and friendly countries as well as officials of international bodies and organizations and their envoys. The Monarch also briefed the Cabinet on the telephone calls which he received from US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During the telephone calls, the King stressed the Palestinian cause and highlighted the sufferings of the Palestinians due to the Israeli criminal aggression on Gaza Strip. The Israeli acts are a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and it is necessary to hold Israel accountable for those crimes, the Cabinet said. On local issues, the Cabinet decided that the Irrigation and Drainage Commission in Al-Ahsa will continue to be an independent commission with Minister of Agriculture as its Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Al-Kharj Agricultural Project will be de-linked from the Irrigation and Drainage Commission in Al-Ahsa and be merged with the animal resources sector in the Ministry of Agriculture. The Cabinet decided that the General Presidency for Meteorology and Environmental Protection will continue as an independent body and the Deputy Agency for the Environment in the general presidency will be upgraded to the level of an agency. It will be supported with qualified human resources in the environmental field. The Cabinet agreed on a status quo on the organizational situation of the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD). It said the role of other government departments will be boosted with regard to protecting the environment. An agreement with China on enhancement of cooperation in the field of constructing infrastructure was also approved. The Cabinet approved an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the People's Republic of China. The agreement, signed in Jeddah on 21/06/2008, concerns enhancement of cooperation in the field of constructing infrastructure. The Cabinet also approved a number of appointments.
