The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at the Al-Yamamah Palace here Tuesday, commended the United States president for expressing the United States' commitment in supporting Saudi Arabia in its defense of its lands and citizens and meeting Saudi Arabia's defensive needs. The US commitment included increase in joint efforts to preserve security and stability in the Kingdom and the region. The Cabinet too affirmed that the Kingdom is committed to deescalating tensions in the region and supporting efforts by the US to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and stressed the need to work together to counter the destabilizing activities of Iran's proxies in the region. At the outset of the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the content of the recent calls received by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince from leaders of a number of countries, which reviewed relations and ways of supporting and strengthening them in all fields such that it serves common interests and achieves security and stability both regionally and globally. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid Bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi said that the Cabinet reviewed a number of issues and developments in various arenas. It appreciated countries and regional and international organizations' condemnation of the hostile attempt that targeted civilian travelers and workers at Abha International Airport. It affirmed that it is an attempt in violating international law, war crimes and continuation of the Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militia's hostile approach, representing its refusal to comply with calls for peace. The Cabinet reiterated Saudi Arabia's keenness to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen according to the references of the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanisms, the outcomes of the comprehensive national dialogue conference and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216. The Cabinet stressed Saudi Arabia's endeavors to achieve security and development in Yemen and to continue providing humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people and rebuilding the country. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda, and it approved Saudi Arabia's joining the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015. It okayed a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in Oman in the field of communications, information technology and post. The Cabinet also approving an agreement between the government of Saudi Arabia and the government of Qatar in the field of air freight services. It endorsed an MoU between the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence and the Information and e-Government Authority in Bahrain regarding the activation of the health passport to verify that Saudi, Bahraini or resident passengers in either country through the King Fahd Causeway meet the health conditions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. It amended Item (Fourth) of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology bylaw regarding the formation of the board of directors of the city. It also approved amendments to the lawyering bylaw regarding the licensing to practice the lawyering profession and organizing the license for the foreign law firm to practice the profession in Saudi Arabia. It authorized the guideline of an agreement between Saudi Arabia and other countries regarding mutual encouragement and protection of investments, and allowed the minister of investment to hold talks with any country that Saudi Arabia intends to sign a relevant agreement with. The cabinet stated that the finance minister shall issue the necessary licensing for the D360 Bank — under establishment — according to Item (Three) of the Bank Monitoring Bylaw. It also approved that the state shall continue to bear the visa fees for seasonal workforce for Project of Hady & Adahi for the 1443 Hijri Hajj season. — SPA
