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. At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of his talks and meetings with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Kingdom of Bahrain, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu of the Republic of Zambia, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates, the Prime Minister of the Republic of South Korea Hwang Kyo-ahn, and Canadian Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion, commending deep relations between the Kingdom and these countries and the joint keenness on developing and enhancing them in various fields. 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 reviewed a number of reports on various events and latest developments and the international efforts towards them, welcoming in this context the final statement of the participating countries at the International Conference on Libya in Vienna and their declaration to support the government of the national accord in Libya as the only legitimate government, and it was also briefed on the results of the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of International Support for Syria held in Vienna last week. The Cabinet expressed its deepest condolences to the Arab Republic of Egypt, president, government and people on the victims of the crash of EgyptAir plane accident, praying to Allah Almighty that nobody sees any harm. On the occasion of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States, the Cabinet appreciated the significant role being played by the Council in achieving security and stability in the region, the march of progress and prosperity, integrated projects and great achievements, thanks to the support and attention being paid by the leaders of the GCC countries to advancing the joint GCC work to achieve the aspirations of the GCC citizens for further cooperation, interdependence and integration. The Minister noted that the Cabinet praised the signing by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates of the minutes of the formation of Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, two memorandums of understanding and two action and executive programs with the Government of the Republic of South Korea, and the comprehensive cooperation agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the fight against terrorism, organized crime, illicit trafficking drugs and psychotropic substances and smuggling them. Dr. Adel bin Zaid Altoraifi said that the Cabinet was briefed on the topics listed on its agenda, including issues co-participated in their study by the Shura Council and decided the following: First: The Cabinet approved the organization of Prince Sultan Center for Defense Studies and Research. This Center aims to promote and support the Kingdom's defense and security trends through the conduct and development of qualitative technological research associated with the defense, security and strategic fields. Second: The Cabinet authorized the President of Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) - or his deputy - to discuss with the French side two draft memoranda of understanding on cooperation; the first one in the field of tourism, and the second one in the field of cultural heritage between the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and both the Ministries of Tourism and Culture in the Republic of France, and to sign them, before submitting the final two signed versions for the completion of legal procedures. Third: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Health - or his deputy - to discuss with the Indian side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Republic of India for cooperation in the fields of health, and to sign it before submitting the final signed version for the completion of legal procedures. Fourth: The Cabinet approved the appointment of the following as members (from private sector) to the Board of Directors of Saudi Post for a three-year term: 1 - Wael bin Fouad bin Isa Jamjoom. 2 - Fahd bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Qasem. 3 - Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Daba'an. Fifth: The Cabinet approved the agreement signed in the city of Jeddah on 06/20/1434 H. between Saudi Arabia and Japan on the promotion and mutual protection of investments. Sixth: After reviewing the recommendation of the Standing Committee of the Council of Economic Affairs and Development No. (7-18 / 37 / d) dated of 26/6/1437 AH regarding a study on the transportation of dead bodies in traffic accidents on highways, long roads and within provinces and administrative regions, the Cabinet approved a number of arrangements to regulate the matter. Seventh: The Cabinet approved the Air Services Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Federal Republic of Brazil, signed in the city of Brasilia on 25/06/1436 AH. Eighth: The Cabinet approved the following transference and appointments at the 14th rank: 1 - Transfer of Bandar bin Abdullah bin Obaid Al-Rasheed from the position of the Director General of the office of the Governor of Riyadh Region to the position of Consultant for Rights Affairs at Riyadh governorate in the same rank. 2 - Appointment of Misfer bin Ibrahim bin Mutib Al-Otaibi in the position of Director General of the office of the Governor of Riyadh Region. 3 - Appointment of Nasser bin Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Hdayyan as Scientific Researcher at the General Presidency for Scientific Research and Ifta. 4 -Appointment of Abdurrahman bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh bin Sahman in the position of Legal Adviser at the General Presidency for Scientific Research and Ifta. The Cabinet was also briefed on a number of general issues listed on its agenda, including a report on the follow-up of the implementation of programs and projects prescribed in the first and second years of the Ninth Development Plan (1431/1432 AH - 1435/1436 AH), as well as the results of the meetings of the working group set up to discuss the proposed funding strategy initiative on to support the Middle East and North Africa in collaboration with the Islamic development Bank, the United Nations and regional partners. The Cabinet was also briefed on the annual report of the Food and Drug Authority for a previous fiscal year, and issued relevant instructions.
