Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, chaired the Cabinet's session on Monday afternoon at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. At the outset of the session, the Cabinet expressed its thanks to and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his directives to address the growing demand for cement and its provision to all citizens in light of the steady urban growth and what has been approved for the infrastructure projects, and for his order to the Ministry of Housing to provide citizens with developed residential land and loans for building within the framework of the King's keenness and follow-up to provide appropriate housing for citizens. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja said that the Cabinet discussed the latest developments and events in the region and the world, commending the efforts of the participants in the meeting of the Friends of Syria, which concluded in Istanbul and what they expressed about the tragic situation in Syria and ways to provide support to the Syrian opposition. The Cabinet condemned terrorist bombings that took place in some Iraqi cities which led to the casualties of dozens of innocent people of Iraq. The Cabinet also condemned the two blasts, which occurred in the city of Boston and resulted in deaths and injuries, stressing that the international community is required to stand firm to stop all acts of violence and terrorism whatever the source might be and to eliminate these despicable acts that target innocent people without any humanitarian considerations. The Cabinet welcomed the joint statement issued by the meetings of finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of Twenty, held on the sidelines of meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington with the participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the statement's confirmation that ensuring of continued financial stability in advanced economies remains essential and urgent for the global economic growth. On local affairs, the Minister said that the Cabinet commended the opening of the 4th International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education which was organized under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques by the Ministry of Higher Education with the participation of 436 Arab and international universities and institutions, as well as 51 Saudi universities and institutions under the title of 'Social responsibility of universities' . Dr. Khoja noted that the Cabinet continued discussion of its agenda and issued the following decisions: First: After reviewing what has been submitted by the Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence, the Cabinet approved the transfer of reference of Saudi Aviation Club from the Ministry of Defense to the General Authority for Civil Aviation. Second: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs or his deputy to sign a draft agreement on general cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Afghanistan. Third: After reviewing what has been submitted by the President of the Board of Directors of Saudi Red Crescent Authority, the Cabinet decided as follows: First, - The renewal of the membership of the following at the Board of Directors of Saudi Red Crescent Authority for a term of three years effective from 29/03/1434 AH. 1 - Abdullah bin Hassan Al Al-Sheikh. 2 - Dr. Salem bin Mohammed Al-Malek. 3 - Khalaf bin Rabah Al-Shammari. 4 - Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Abu Bakr. Secondly, - The renewal of the membership of Fayiz bin Ali Mushabeb at the Board of Directors of Saudi Red Crescent Authority for a term of three years effective from 28/8/1434 AH. Thirdly, - Appointment of the following as members at the Board of Directors of Saudi Red Crescent Authority for a term of three years effective from the date of issuance of the decision: 1 - Eng. Mohammed bin Ghurmullah Al-Zahrani. 2 - Dr. Rashid bin Saleh Al-Eid. Fourth: The Cabinet approved the appointment of Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Oqla, the Undersecretary Ministry of Social Affairs for Social Security, as Member of the Saudi Credit and Saving Bank, as a representative of the Ministry. Fifth: The Cabinet approved the application of the decision of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council States in its 32nd session held in Riyadh on 24-25/1/1433AH corresponding to 19- 20/12/2011, regarding the system (Law) of Processed Sewage Water and its reuse in the Gulf Cooperation Council States as a guidance system (law ) for two years. Sixth: The Cabinet approved the International Convention on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, issued by the International Labour Organization on 6/6 / 1973. Seventh: The Cabinet approved appointments as follows: 1 - Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Jarbou' as Planning Advisor at the Ministry of Economy and Planning (rank 15th). 2 - Dr. Mohammed bin Suleiman bin Mohammed Al-Muhanna as Legal Adviser at the General Presidency for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Commission (rank 15th). 3 - Ayad bin Dhuwaihi bin Rae'l Al-Shammari as Assistant Undersecretary of the Governorate at Hail Region Governorate (rank 14th). 4 - Ahmad bin Saad bin Mohammed Al-Mazrou' as Secretary General of Drug Control Committee at the Ministry of Interior (rank 14th) . 5 - Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Huthaili as Assistant Undersecretary for Budget Affairs at the Ministry of Finance (rank 14th). The Cabinet also discussed a number of topics on its agenda, including annual reports of Regulatory Authority of Electricity and Cogeneration, and Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organization for previous financial years.
