King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has confirmed that all armed infiltrators have been driven from Saudi territory by the country's security forces. King Abdullah gave this assurance at the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers Monday at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. The King said that all residents evacuated from the villages affected by the fighting are being cared for by the government. The King also expressed his appreciation for the support and solidarity shown by countries in the region for the military action taken by the government to protect its citizens and defend its sovereignty. In a statement following the Cabinet session, Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Mohieddin Khoja, Minister of Information, said the Council valued the support for its military action by a number of Gulf countries. This support for Saudi Arabia came during the second ministerial council meeting for GCC foreign ministers that concluded in Doha last week. Support has also been received from the Ministerial Committee for the Arab Peace Initiative at its meeting last Thursday at the Arab League. Meanwhile, the King also welcomed pilgrims. He expressed thanks to Allah for the honor He bestowed on this country to serve the Two Holy Mosques and the Haj and Umrah pilgrims from different parts of the world who come here to perform the fifth pillar of Islam and visit the Prophet's Mosque. The Monarch issued directives to provide all the pilgrims' needs and facilities. He stressed diligence in providing these services with the objective of seeking reward from Allah, as it is a great honor for the Kingdom and its citizens. The council welcomed the results of the Saudi-East African Forum in which the Kingdom and seven African countries participated. The council looked forward to boosting economic cooperation with these countries in the field of agricultural investment. The Council also welcomed the formation of the new Lebanese government headed by Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri. It expressed its hope that this step would be strong support for national unity and the achievement of the security, stability and the prosperity of Lebanon and its citizens, and underlined the efforts made by the Lebanese parties which led to the agreement to form the Lebanese government. He said the Kingdom has emphasized its stand beside Lebanon and its people in whatever matter that leads to strengthening its stability. Regarding the domestic agenda, Khoja said the Council agreed to authorize the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance or his deputy to discuss a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of Islamic Affairs and Endowment between the Kingdom and the state of Qatar and to sign it as per the attached decision. Khoja said the council also gave the go-ahead for authorizing the Minister of Agriculture or his deputy to discuss with the Qatari side a draft memorandum of understanding in the agricultural, animal and fish resources sectors. The council authorized the minister to sign it as per the attached text within the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council and submit the final copy for the completion of the regular procedures. The council authorized Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister, or his deputy to discuss with the Muslim World League (MWL) the preparation of a draft protocol annexed to the headquarters agreement between the Kingdom and MWL and to sign it as per the attached decision and submit the final copies for the completion of the necessary procedures. On the basis of the decision of the Shoura Council, the Council of Ministers agreed on the memorandum of understanding to launch a strategic dialogue between the GCC states and the Republic of Turkey signed in Jeddah on Feb. 9, 2008. The council agreed to enforce the decision made by the Supreme GCC Council in its 29th session held in Muscat for approving the GCC Common Market document as per the attached decision defining the ownership of properties. The council agreed to the enforcement of the decision made by the Supreme GCC Council in its 29th session held in Muscat regarding the issuing of the necessary national legislative tools for the implementation of the decisions to be issued by the Supreme Council starting from the 29th session within one year from the date of their issuance by the Supreme Council.
