Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz today chaired the regular weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers, and briefed the cabinet on recent consultations with international leaders on regional developments, especially Israel's continuing aggression against the Palestinian people that has deeply touched their very being as well as their property, homes, and farms, affecting almost all day-to-day affairs in their lives. He stressed the importance of formulating a firm and united international stance against this aggression, and of working towards acceleration of the peace process in accordance with the United Nations and the agreements signed by the two sides.

The cabinet then discussed the situation in Iraq, expressing the wish for security and stability to prevail there and for its return as a prosperous country enjoying unity, sovereignty, integrity of its territories, and a legitimate government. In this regard, the cabinet expressed regret at the absence of Iraqi representatives at the recent conference in Damascus of Iraq's neighboring countries.
Turning to domestic issues, the cabinet passed a number of resolutions, including authorization for the Minister of Foreign Affairs or his deputy to negotiate a draft memorandum of understanding on political consultation with the foreign ministry of the Republic of Hungary; and extension for one year, effective November 5, 2003, the concession of allowing Palestinian products to be imported exempt from customs tariffs.

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