RIYADH – The Council of Ministers Monday urged the world community to stand united in fighting terrorism. The Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, slammed the Boston city blasts, which killed three people and left 180 others wounded. “The international community is required to stand firm to stop all acts of violence and terrorism whatever the source might be as well as to eliminate these despicable acts that target innocent people without any humanitarian considerations,” the Cabinet said. The Cabinet's condemnation came as US officials brought charges against the surviving suspect Dzohkhar Tsarnaev while he lay in his hospital bed Monday, a federal court official said. The Council of Ministers session also condemned the terrorist bombings that took place in some Iraqi cities which led to the killing of dozens of innocent civilians. Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session that the Cabinet thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for his directives to address the growing demand for cement and making available of its supply to all citizens in the light of the steady urban growth that witnesses implementation of infrastructure projects. It also lauded the King's order to the Ministry of Housing to grant citizens land and loans for housing. Dr. Khoja said the Cabinet commended the outcome of the recent Istanbul meeting of the Friends of Syria that discussed ways to provide support to the Syrian opposition. It also welcomed the joint statement issued by the meetings of finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group 20, held recently in Washington, which stressed that continued financial stability in advanced economies is inevitable for the global economic growth. The Cabinet approved the transfer of Saudi Aviation Club from the Ministry of Defense to the General Authority for Civil Aviation. It also endorsed the International Convention on the minimum age for hiring for employment, issued by the International Labor Organization earlier. – SG
