RIYADH — The Council of Ministers on Tuesday emphasized the significance of the Kingdom's earlier call for working to achieve the region's security and stability, and stave off all that might lead to worsening of the situation in the region as a result of the escalation of tensions and terrorist acts, saying that the Kingdom had warned of their repercussions. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman chaired the weekly session of the Cabinet at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. While drawing attention to the current events in Iraq, the Cabinet underlined the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities to take necessary measures to ensure the security and stability of the region. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Minister of Media Turki Al-Shabanah said the Cabinet reiterated what the Kingdom expressed of its rejection and condemnation of the military escalation and Turkish interference in Libya, saying that it constitutes violation of international principles and covenants as well as resolutions adopted by the Security Council on Libya. This is also considered as contravention to the Arab position adopted by the Arab League last month, undermining international efforts aimed at resolving the Libyan crisis; and constitutes a threat to Libyan, Arab and regional security, the statement said. At the outset of the session, King Salman briefed on the outcome of his phone talks with Iraqi President Dr. Barham Salih during which he affirmed the Kingdom's position and its combating of terrorist acts and ensuring the security and stability of countries and peoples. The Monarch also briefed the Cabinet on the outcome of his meeting with Foreign Ministers of Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and his commending of founding and signing the Charter of the Council of Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Al-Shabanah said the Cabinet stressed the importance of the role of the newly created Council in enhancing ways of cooperation in political, economic and security fields between the member countries, and the Council's efforts to achieve their common interests and enhancing security and stability at the regional and international levels due to the importance that the waterway represents to international trade and communications. The minister said the Cabinet approved granting license to Bank of China Ltd to open its branch in the Kingdom and authorized the minister of finance to take a decision on any future applications to open more branches in the Kingdom. It also approved a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi General Sport Authority and Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism for cooperation in sports. The Council authorized Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Space Commission or his deputy to discuss and sign a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of space science and technology between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Japan.
