Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, warned against “adventures being committed by some countries, [and] interference in the internal affairs of others,” stressing that this only leads to “more tension and instability” in the region.

Speaking following the cabinet session, Saudi information minister Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja informed the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the cabinet was briefed on the repercussions of the events taking place in the region, as well as international contacts, consultation, and discussions in this regard. He revealed that the Saudi cabinet discussed the widespread human rights violations taking place in Syria, and the ongoing massacres being carried out against the Syrian people.

The cabinet reiterated its position towards the Syrian crisis, calling on the Islamic community to stand together against the illegitimate Assad regime and work to prevent it being supplied with arms, ammunition, and fighters in order to end its aggression against the Syrian people.

King Abdullah also stressed his commitment to the security and stability of Saudi Arabia and its people, ensuring development in all fields in order to allow the Saudi people to meet the challenges of the era.

Dr. Khoja also expressed Saudi Arabia’s appreciation for the efforts exerted by the Human Rights Council to strengthen international cooperation in the field of human rights, lauding the decisions adopted by the 23rd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The Saudi cabinet was also briefed of the progress of the ongoing expansion project of the Two Holy Mosques, including the expansion of the mataf (circumambulation area around the Kaaba), within the framework of Islamic Sharia law. These expansion project aim to increase the number of pilgrims that the Two Holy Mosques can accommodate.

This was the first cabinet meeting chaired by King Abdullah since his return to Saudi Arabia from Morocco last week.