The Cabinet on Monday endorsed the national strategy to combat drugs and psychotropic substances. The strategy includes a number of objectives including the identification of types of abuses in the Kingdom, their characteristics, causes, development of treatment programs and development of bilateral, regional and international cooperation for combating drugs. The Cabinet also approved identification of the services provided by the General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities and their financial revenues including among others licensing of real estate. In its weekly session chaired by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz here, the Council of Ministers applauded the recognition given to King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, by World Food Program. Dr. Yusuf Bin Al-Otahaimeen, Minister of Social Affairs and Acting Minister of Culture and Information, said the Cabinet was briefed on the contents of telephonic conversation between King Abdullah and US president-elect Barack Obama, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. The Cabinet also wished Obama all success. It also stressed on the importance of the outcome of the 27th meeting of the GCC Interior Ministers in Doha which emphasized on security cooperation and coordination among the member states to fight violence and terrorism in all its shapes. The Cabinet also stressed its support for any regional and international efforts aimed at uprooting this menace threatening world's peace, security and stability. Additionally, the Cabinet has endorsed establishment of diplomatic ties with Ecuador. It also underlined the visit of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to the Kingdom and his meeting with the King signifying the mutual desire of the two countries to consolidate further the already strong relations between the two brotherly countries. The Cabinet approved the agreement between the Kingdom and France for cooperation in the sectors of oil, gas and minerals, signed in Riyadh early this year. __
