Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday afternoon. The Minister of Culture and Information, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja, pointed out in a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Cabinet highly appreciated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for signing the greatest expansion plan of the Prophet's Holy Mosque in Madinah and his directives to implement the project in the best way in maximum two years within the framework of the King's keenness on the public interest in the service of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors to the Prophet's Holy Mosque. The Cabinet commended the results of the meetings of the fourth session of Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council held in Doha under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Crown Prince of Qatar, stressing the prevalence of a spirit of friendship and brotherhood in the meetings and that contents of the joint statement embody excellent brotherly relations between the two countries, and their keenness to consolidate them in various fields. The Cabinet was briefed on the recommendations of the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers in its 139th session in Cairo, stressing what was stated in the Kingdom's speech on the development of Arab League emanating from Covenant Document and Charter approved at 16th Arab Summit in Tunisia and signed by all Arab countries. Dr. Khoja said the Cabinet reviewed the overall situation in the region and the various efforts on security, stability, development and the enhancement of the aspirations of the peoples. In this regard, the Cabinet welcomed the statement issued by the ministerial meeting of the Friends of Yemen held in London which stressed full support for the unity, sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Yemen and the commitment to support plans of the political transition. The statement took into consideration the principle of non-interference in Yemen's internal affairs. The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's keenness to stand with the Yemeni people. The Cabinet condemned Israeli attempts to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque and its aggressive practices against worshipers, students and the Holy Quran, calling upon the international community to take a firm stand against such provocative practices because they represent a violation of the international conventions and treaties as well as a violation of the sanctity of holy places and provocation to the feelings of Muslims. On domestic affairs, the Cabinet discussed a number of scientific and cultural activities, lauding the opening of the Riyadh International Book Fair under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques which reflects the Kingdom's keenness and support for culture, sciences, literature and intellectuals. Dr. Khoja said the Cabinet continued discussion of its agenda and issued the following decisions: The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding on bilateral political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Roman Republic, signed in Riyadh on 26/4/2011.
