The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday. At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of his talks with President Jacob Zuma of Republic of South Africa during which they reviewed the fields of cooperation and ways of enhancing them to serve the common interests, the latest regional and international developments of common concern, and signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries on bilateral political consultations between the two countries; commending the close relations between the two countries and their peoples in all fields, the status of the two countries at the global arena economically and politically, and their keenness to enhance relations and develop them to serve their mutual interests. The King also briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of his meeting with the Speaker of Parliament of Republic of Georgia David Ussoupashvila. The Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Adel bin Zaid Altoraifi said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency following the session that the Cabinet commended the opening by the President of Republic of South Africa and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of Board of Directors of General Organization for Military Industries, of projectiles factory in the Organization, which was established by license and assistance in the construction by a company manufacturing ammunition from South Africa, which will be a tributary to support the needs of our military forces in the field of military projectiles of all kinds, and which is considered as one of the fruits of the implementation of the wise leadership's strategies in the Kingdom represented in transfer and localization of military manufacturing technologies. The Cabinet welcomed the convening of the first meeting of Chiefs of Staff of the countries of Military Islamic Alliance for Counterterrorism, stressing Riyadh Declaration issued by the meeting and its assertions on the importance of the collective work, the comprehensive strategic perspective for effective countering of terrorism and extremism, the importance of activating the intellectual side in combating terrorism through the coordination of efforts to study the terrorist thought, eradicate it, consolidate the values of understanding, tolerance and dialogue, and to renounce hatred and incitement to violence, and confirm the determination to intensify efforts to fight terrorism through the enhancement of the joint action. The Minister noted that the Cabinet was briefed on reports on the latest developments in the region and the world, and reiterated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's calls on the United Nations Security Council to develop a special international protection system for the Palestinian state, including the Holy Al-Quds, in accordance with Fourth Geneva Convention and relevant international legitimacy resolutions to develop a timetable for ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and achieving a just and comprehensive peace according to international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab peace initiative. The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom's condemnation of the Israeli authorities' continuation of the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied Arab territories, as well as its regret over the resignation of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories due to lack of cooperation of the Israeli occupation authorities, stressing Israel's indifference to international legitimacy resolutions and its determination to go forward in committing violations of human rights and international humanitarian laws. The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom's condemnation of the terrorist bombings that struck both Babel Governorate, south of Baghdad; Lahore city, eastern Pakistan and the city of Brussels in Belgium resulted in dead and injuries, stressing concerted international efforts to fight terrorism, which is disapproved by all religions, international norms and charters and the importance of saving communities from evils of this dangerous scourge and it expressed the Kingdom's condolences and sympathy to the Republics of Iraq and Pakistan as well as to the Kingdom of Belgium and to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The Cabinet reviewed a number of scientific, cultural and economic activities witnessed by the Kingdom during the week, and it congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for being awarded the Honorary Doctorate in historical and civilizational studies by King Saud University. The Cabinet also hailed the recommendations issued by the Fourth Saudi-United States Business Opportunities Forum organized by the Ministry of Commerce under the patronage of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, and their confirmation of the importance of strengthening and deepening commercial ties between the two countries and supporting the strategic partnership for the 21st Century, which was confirmed by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the visit paid by the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques to the United States of America in September 2015. Dr. Adel bin Zaid Altoraifi said that the Council of Ministers was then briefed on the topics on its agenda, including topics the Shura Council has previously reviewed. The Council has reached the following decisions: First : After having reviewed a recommendation by the General President of Youth, who is also Chairman of Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee, the cabinet exempted the administrative and technical personnel as well as players, totalling 60 persons, participating in the 31st Olympic Games to be held in Brazil in 2016 from being considered absent from their duties in government or private sectors. Second : The Cabinet approved the memorandum of understanding on bilateral consultation in the political field between the Foreign Ministry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Francophonic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and regional integration of the Gabonese Republic, signed in Riyadh on 22/08/1436 H. Third: The Cabinet decided adding an amount SR10,000,000 ten million Saudi Riyals annually to the Ministry of Social Affairs budget, for a period of three years starting from fiscal year 1437-1438 H for disburement on awareness programs and courses for those who are planning to get married. Fourth: The Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the General Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Protection of the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia and Meteorological Department of the Republic of Korea for cooperation in the field of meteorology, signed in Jeddah on 15/07/1436 H. Fifth: The Cabinet approved a number of appointments as follows: 1 - Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Ali Al-Hassan as Director General of the Ministry of Justice's branch in Makkah (15th rank). 2 - Eng. Hamad bin Abdulrahman bin Al-Hamad Al-Wabil as Director General of Water in the Eastern Region at the Ministry of Water and Electricity (15th rank). 3 - Ali bin Mohammed bin Ali Al-Hamdan as Ambassador at the Foreign Ministry. 4 - Abdulaziz bin Suleiman bin Ali Al-Ali as Deputy Secretary General of King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (15th rank). 5 - Rashid bin Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Al-Hagbani as Administrative Advisor at Ministry of Finance (14th rank). 6 - Eng. Faisal bin Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Thani as Consulting Civilian Engineer at Municipality of Eastern Region (14th rank). 7 - Abdullah bin Hamad bin Faraj Al-Subaie as Minister Plenipotentiary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 8 - Fahd bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Wafi as Civil Service Adviser at Ministry of Civil Service (14th rank). The Cabinet was briefed on a number of general issues, including a study's minutes on sports and its activity in the Kingdom comprehensively. It was also briefed on the annual report of King Fahd National Library for the previous fiscal year and issued its instructions towards them.
