The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh on Tuesday afternoon. At the outset of the session, the King briefed the Cabinet on the results of his talks with President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine and latest developments at the Palestinian arena and Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Ra'ie of Antioch and all the East. The Cabinet also discussed the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Madinah, appreciating his launching of a number of development projects at a cost of more than SR 7 billion, which is an extension of the leadership's care, attention and service to Makkah, Madinah and the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors and as a practical translation of his directives to officials to exert their efforts to exploit and develop whatever provides all comfort and services to citizens, meet their needs, and facilitate matters for pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors. The Cabinet pointed to the King's confirmation of the leadership's honor and pride since the reign of the founder late King Abdulaziz and the Kingdom's people in the service of the Two Holy Mosques, and thanks to Allah Almighty for security, safety and reassurance of the Kingdom. The Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Cabinet commended the contents of the King's speech during the 1st Saudi Archeology Convention held under his patronage and organized by Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage and his emphasis that antiquities and civilizational heritage are a key part of the Kingdom's identity, history and a foundation for the future, and his appreciation for the efforts of the Commission and its partners working in this area, and what is done through "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Caring of the Cultural Heritage of the Kingdom" to make a comprehensive qualitative leap in the preservation and exploration of the national cultural heritage, and transform it into a basic part of national gains, economy and citizens' lives, and its contribution as a means of education and awareness, and a source of knowledge and science as well as a witness of the Kingdom's civilizational and historical status among nations. --More 16:06 LOCAL TIME 13:06 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1687676
