Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Virtually Chairs Cabinet's Session

 The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister, chaired today the Cabinet's session, convened via video conference.

At the outset of the meeting, the Cabinet's members appreciated the generous donation being extended by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, to the national campaign on Ehsan Platform, designed to support charitable work. The Cabinet also paid tribute to the leadership's interest in meeting the needs of citizens, exerting generous offering and spending on aspects of goodness, developing the non-profit sector and maximizing its impact, raising efficiency and reliability of its performance, and supporting the humanitarian initiatives, social services and needy groups, to enable them participate in the national development and obtain the means of decent livelihoods.

The Cabinet paid close attention to the comprehensive care Umrah performers and worshipers enjoy from all entities working in serving the visitors of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, in Makkah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, during these blessed days, according to an exemplary work system that aims to enable pilgrims and Umrah performers perform their rituals, enjoying the best level of services and facilities as well as the highest standards to preserve their health and safety.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the meeting, Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi said that the Cabinet reviewed the developments of the coronavirus pandemic at the local and international levels, the trends of the curves and indicators based on the reality of relevant statistics and data, and the efforts exerted to achieve immunity for communities and safety for the society.

He affirmed the necessity for citizens and residents to continue observe the preventive measures until the pandemic ends, and to speed up taking the vaccine to preserve their health, and contribute to protecting the public health of society.

The Cabinet reviewed the contents of the consultations and talks that took place during the past few days, with a number of fraternal and brotherly countries on regional and international developments, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's announced plan to organize an annual summit for the Middle East Green Initiative to contribute to enhancing the environmental aspect and vegetation cover and achieving its goals throughout the region and the world.

In the same context, the Cabinet reiterated that it is closely following the current developments related to Iran's nuclear program, citing the emphasis of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia call for Iran to get involved in the current negotiations, evade escalation and desist from jeopardizing the regional security and stability to further tension. The Cabinet underscored the importance of the international community reaching an accord with more stronger and lasting determinants embodying strict monitoring and controlling measures, to prevent Iran from acquiring the nuclear weapon and develop related essential potentials for that.

The minister pointed out that the Cabinet renewed condemnation of the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia's attempts to target civilians as well as civilian facilities, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a systematic and intentional manner, through using bomb laden drones and ballistic missiles, though the Royal Saudi Air Defense has managed to successfully intercept and destroy them.

The Cabinet was briefed on issues on its agenda, including issues co-studied with the Shura council, and the conclusions reached by each of the Economical Affairs and Development Council, the Council of Political and Security Affairs, the General Committee of the Cabinet, and the Bureau of Experts, an affiliate of the Council of Ministers, in their regard.

The Cabinet reached the following:

First: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Interior, or his deputy, to negotiate with the Japanese side regarding a draft memorandum of cooperation in the field of legal affairs between the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Justice of Japan, sign it, and then submit the final version to complete regular procedures.

Second: The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Culture and Endowments of the Republic of Djibouti to manage and operate the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Islamic Cultural Center in the Republic of Djibouti.

Third: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Finance, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Customs Authority, or his deputy, to negotiate with the Ukrainian side regarding a draft agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Republic of Ukraine on cooperation and mutual assistance relating to the customs issues, sign it, and submit the final version to complete regular procedures.

Fourth: The Cabinet authorized the Governor of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula, or his deputy, to sign a draft memorandum of cooperation between the Royal Commission for Al-Ula of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the field of preserving the safety of nature.

Fifth: The Cabinet authorized the President of the Presidency of State Security, or his deputy, to discuss with the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) regarding a draft memorandum of understanding in the field of cooperation between the Presidency of State Security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UNCCT, sign it, and then submit the final version to complete regular procedures.

Sixth: The Cabinet authorized the Acting Secretary General of King Abdulaziz Foundation, or his deputy, to discuss with the Ukrainian side as regards a draft memorandum of cooperation between King Abdulaziz Foundation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and A. Krymski Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, sign it, and then submit the final version to complete regular procedures.

Seventh: Article (65) of the Sharia Pleading System, issued by the Royal Decree No. (m/1) on 22/1,1435 H, is amended to be read according to the text implied in the decision.

Eighth: The final account of the Saudi Irrigation Organization endorsed.

Ninth: Law to combat financial fraud and treacherously breach of trust approved.

The Cabinet approved a number of promotions at the 14th and 15th ranks.

Finally, the Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and took relevant recommendations.