The Council of Ministers expressed hope that Lebanese leaders would reach an agreement to pave the way for electing a president, reported the Saudi Press Agency Monday. It also hoped that the leaders taking part in Doha talks would reach an acceptable formula for a government of national unity as well as constitutional amendments that would ensure its independence from the influence of foreign powers and liberation from ideologies and weapons of any group or sect. In the weekly session chaired by King Abdullah, the Cabinet listened to a report by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources focusing on the oil policy, which maintains that the Kingdom constantly takes into account the interest of the consuming and producing countries besides striking a balance between supply and demand. The report stressed that the Kingdom ensures that the production meets all current requirements and that it can meet any real additional requirements for energy in the interest of all parties. King Abdullah briefed the Cabinet on the talks and consultations he had with a number of leaders, international organizations and their envoys focusing on regional and international issues. He also underlined the visit of US President George W. Bush to the Kingdom last Friday. Iyad Bin Amin Madani, Minister of Culture and Information, said the Cabinet stressed the importance of the Palestinian issue as well as the importance of the role of the international community and superpowers to work together to ensure the legitimate, national and humanitarian rights of the Palestinian people. He also said the Cabinet emphasized that the Palestinian people and their leaders have no more concessions to give. Madani said the Cabinet endorsed two general agreements for cooperation between the Kingdom and the Republics of Kenya and Turkmenistan that encourage economic, commercial and investment cooperation. It also approved agreements between the Kingdom, Spain and Greece to avoid dual taxation and prevent tax evasion. As per the recommendation of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology, the Cabinet approved appointment of new members on the Board of Directors of the Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) and also ordered the continuation of membership of the current members of the Board.
