The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Salam palace in Jeddah on Monday afternoon. At the outset of the session, the King and ministers prayed to Allah Almighty to bestow His mercy on late Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of Allegiance-Pledge Commission. The King expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the leaders and officials of sisterly and friendly countries and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their sincere condolences on the prince's demise. The Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Alawwad said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) after the session that the Cabinet extended its deep and sincere condolences to the King; the family, sons and daughters of the deceased prince and the people of the Kingdom, praying to Allah Almighty to bestow mercy on the soul of the late prince and award him the best for what he has provided for his religion and homeland. Then, the King briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of his meeting with Emir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, his talks with President Ernest Bai Koroma of Republic of Sierra Leone; his meetings with Pakistan's Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Zubair Mahmood Hayat and Director General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Irina Bokova; and the two messages received from President Béji Caid Sibsi of Republic of Tunisia and President Raul Castro of Republic of Cuba. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of reports pertaining to latest developments at Arab, regional and international arenas, reiterating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's firm positions towards various events, congratulating Mr. Emmanuel Macaron on his election as President of the French Republic and wishing him all success and the French Republic further progress and prosperity. The Cabinet welcomed the joint statement issued at the conclusion of Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council's meeting at its 5th session co-chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior and Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Premier and Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar, and its confirmation that wisdom prevails in dealing with various events in a number of Arab and Muslim countries in a way that ensures the preservation of their safety, stability and the prosperity of their peoples and that the fight against terrorism is a joint international responsibility requiring international concerted efforts at all levels to confront it in security, intellectually, financially, media and militarily. --More 15:27 LOCAL TIME 12:27 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1625222
