The Council of Ministers has given the go-ahead to public transport system for Riyadh and other heavily-populated cities. At its weekly meeting here Monday, presided over by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Cabinet tasked the Emir of Riyadh region to oversee the implementation of the public transport project which should be completed in four years. The transport project is based on studies conducted earlier by Arriyadh Development Authority, the body tasked with the development of the capital. Public transport projects in other cities depend on pertinent studies conducted by the concerned authorities, the Cabinet said, adding that the government would bear the cost of implementing, maintaining and operating these projects. A systematic public transport system in major cities, the Cabinet noted, would significantly reduce the volume of traffic on the roads, control air pollution, rationalize the use of fuel and achieve integration and equilibrium between city construction and transport planning. Dr. Jabarah Bin Eid Al-Suraisiry, Minister of Transport, has thanked King Abdullah, Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, for the Cabinet approval of the public transport project in Riyadh and other major cities. The Cabinet also approved the Arab Anti-Corruption Agreement submitted by the Crown Prince. The agreement is aimed at strengthening measures to combat all types of corruption and initiate tough action against evil-doers. The agreement also encourages individuals and civil society institutions to effectively participate in preventing corruption and aims to enlighten the public about the dangers corruption poses to society. The Cabinet approved the reconstitution of the Real Estate Development Fund Management. The ministers also approved a five-year strategy to develop trade and handicraft industries. Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, said the Cabinet also decided to subsidize locally-manufactured milk powder for children. On regional and international issues, the Cabinet discussed various Arab and global measures to resolve the crisis in Syria including the Friends of Syria meeting in Paris. The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's firm support to all the steps that could end bloodshed and violence in Syria. Reviewing the outcome of the recent Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Doha which supported United Arab Emirates stance on three disputed islands, the Cabinet reiterated that any attack on the sovereignty and interference in the internal affairs of any of the GCC member states would be construed as an intrusion and assault on all GCC countries.
