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 telephone call made to President Cyril Ramaphosa of Republic of South Africa and his meetings with British Minister of State for Middle East and International Development Alistair Burt and Chief of British Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach. The Cabinet expressed its thanks and appreciation to the King for patronizing the opening ceremony of Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum and inaugurating Saudi aid platform, the first one in the region of this size, to present the Kingdom's relief, humanitarian and developmental contributions and efforts which represent an embodiment of the contribution of the Kingdom's leadership and people to alleviating the human sufferings of affected societies and conveying an honorable picture of humanitarian dimensions of this donor country in partnership with United Nations organizations and international and local organizations. The King wished all success to officials appointed by royal orders last night to achieve the aspirations for serving their homeland and citizens, also appreciating the officials who have performed their missions and responsibilities during their terms. The Cabinet expressed its appreciation to the King for his royal order approving the Ministry of Defense's development document including the vision and strategy of the Ministry's development program, as well as the royal order establishing High Commission for Asir Region Development. The Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency following the session that the Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on events and latest developments at regional, Arab and international arenas, reiterating in this context the Kingdom's deep concern over the Syrian regime's continuing escalation of attacks on the Eastern Ghouta and their impacts on civilians, stressing that the Syrian regime must cease violence, allow access of humanitarian and relief assistance, and take seriously the track of the political solution to the Syrian crisis according to agreed principles represented in Geneva Declaration and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254. --More 16:00 LOCAL TIME 13:00 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1729869
