The Council of Ministers Monday called upon all Palestinian factions to forget their differences and unify their ranks in the service of the Arab and Muslim cause of establishing a Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital. Unity in the ranks will help restore the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, it said. The Cabinet meeting here was presided over by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, said the Monarch thanked Almighty Allah for bestowing health on Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General. The minister said King Abdullah briefed the Council on the outcome of his talks, consultations and the contacts he made in the past few days with several leaders of sisterly and friendly countries tackling different developments on the international political scene. The King also mentioned his telephone conversations with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Council also expressed its confidence that the leaders of Lebanon will overcome all hurdles and obstacles in the formation of the government of national unity to achieve the country's well-being, security and stability. King Abdullah called upon all agencies involved in the implementation of the Ramadan service plan to double their efforts in the service of the guests of Allah to enable them to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. The King also directed the minister of health and all those involved in the safety and health of Umrah pilgrims to strictly abide by his order to all government and private hospitals to provide free treatment to all patients suffering from swine flu be they citizens, expatriates or Umrah performers. On domestic issues, the Council approved upgrading Taif and Al-Ahsa municipalities to mayoralties to be directly linked to the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs. The Council also ordered the de-affiliation of Al-Khurmah, Raniah, Turabah, Al-Muwaih and two rural complexes in Meisan and Bani Saad from Makkah Mayoralty and affiliating them to Taif Mayoralty. Al-Hufoof, Al-Mubarraz, Al-Uyoon, Al-Umran, Al-Jafr and Yibreen have been linked to Al-Ahsa Mayoralty. The Council also approved the final accounts of the General Organization for Grain Silos and Flour Mills. The Council also gave the go-ahead for the establishment of a joint stock company under the name of Al-Balad Al-Amin Company for Development and Urban Development in accordance to its basic system.
