The Council of Ministers has approved the Unified System for the Extension of Insurance Protection for all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens working in this country. The system provides pension coverage for GCC citizens in all member states. The decision was announced here at the weekly Cabinet session, chaired by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The system covers pensioners, if they choose to enroll in it. A draft Royal Decree in this regard has been prepared. At the Cabinet meeting, King Abdullah discussed a number of reports on regional and world developments, including the situation in Syria. Dr. Yusuf Bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, Minister of Social Affairs and Acting Culture and Information Minister, said the Council reaffirmed its support for the Arab League plan for the Syrian government and the opposition to start a dialogue to form a government of national unity, prepare a new constitution and hold multiparty elections under Arab and international supervision. The Cabinet also reiterated that the Kingdom withdrew its observers because the Syrian government had failed to implement the Arab League plan and to stop bloodshed. The Cabinet emphasized that the situation in Syria was very dangerous and required all parties to shoulder their responsibilities for attaining peace. On local issues, Al-Othaimeen said the Council of Ministers approved the memorandum of understanding between the King Abdul Aziz Foundation and Al-Beiruni Institute for Oriental Studies in Uzbekistan. The Council also gave the go-ahead to minister of petroleum and mineral resources, or whomever he authorizes, to amend the agreement signed recently with China for cooperation in the oil, gas and minerals industries.
