Jeddah – The government of Saudi Arabia welcomed the joint statement issued by the recently held Saudi-Qatari Coordinating Council meeting.
Ensuring the safety, security and stability of Arab people in the region, it mandates that reason prevails and conditions multilateral action to combating terrorism.
Unified efforts from regional states are necessary to fight off terrorism comprehensively, the statement had said.
Chaired by King Salman at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Monday, the national cabinet session welcomed the statement’s call for concerted international efforts to confront terrorism at the security, intellectual, financial, media and military levels.
More so, the cabinet positively reviewed the contents of the just-concluded 12th Euromoney Saudi Arabia conference 2017, especially those related to projects conforming to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
It also expressed pride in the strength of the Kingdom’s financial position in light of the increase in financial reserves and the doubling of gross domestic product (GDP) in the last 10 years, representing nearly 50 percent of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economy.
At the outset of the session, King Salman and ministers prayed to Allah almighty to bestow mercy on the soul of late Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, president of the Allegiance-Pledge Commission. The King expressed sincere appreciation to leaders and officials of countries and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their condolences on the prince’s passing.
After concluding the cabinet session, Culture and Information Minister Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Alawwad told the state-owned Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that ministers extended their own condolences to the King, as well as the family, sons and daughters of the deceased prince and the people of the Kingdom.
King Salman had briefed the government on the outcomes of his meeting with the ruling Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, talks with Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma, meetings with Pakistan’s Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Zubair Mahmood Hayat and Director General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Irina Bokova.
Content of two messages received by King Salman from Tunisian President Béji Caid Sibsi and Cuban President Raul Castro was also reviewed.
Latest developments on the Arab, regional and international arenas were also discussed, reiterating Saudi Arabia’s firm positions.
French President-elect Emmanuel Macaron was congratulated on his election— the cabinet wished him a successful presidency and further progress and prosperity for France.
The cabinet authorized the foreign minister, or whomever he authorizes, to discuss with Sweden a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) for political consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries.
The cabinet approved an MoU on housing between the Saudi and Egyptian housing ministries, and authorized the finance minister to issue necessary licenses for the Gulf International Bank.
Leading valiant efforts on curbing the inflow of drugs and illicit substances into the Kingdom, cabinet members expressed appreciation for anti-drug efforts by security authorities, including the capture of 1,628 suspects for involvement in receiving and trafficking drugs in the last six months.