The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz began the Cabinet session in Riyadh today with a briefing on his talks last week with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Haris Silajdzic, Jordanian Prime Minister Zaid Rifai, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Sultanov; and Qatari State Security Chief Mohammad Al-Musnad. The King also briefed the Cabinet on the messages he received from Jordanian King Abdullah II and Libyan President Muammar Al-Qaddafi.

The Cabinet reviewed a number of domestic events and cultural activities, including the awards ceremony for the 32nd King Faisal International Prize, which was graced by King Abdullah. After listening to reports on regional and international developments, the Cabinet condemned the decision by Israeli authorities approving the construction of 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem, in addition to their decision to build 112 new units in the West Bank. The ministers commended a number of countries for condemning the decision, which reflects the intent of the Israeli government to intensify settlement building and impose the policy of “fait accompli” by changing the demographic composition of the occupied Palestinian territories. The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s call for the international community to stand firm against all Israeli practices that undermine the chances for peace.

Moving on to its agenda items, the Cabinet agreed to amend paragraph (3) of Article (I) of Cabinet decision No. (22), dated 29/01/1430H.; authorized the Second Deputy Prime Minister to sign three draft Arab conventions on 1) the transfer of inmates, 2) the prevention of information technology crimes, and 3) efforts to counter money laundering and terrorism financing; approved several appointments to the Board of Directors of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority; approved regulations for accepting student scholarships for non-Saudis in higher education institutions; approved amending Article (I) of Cabinet decision No. (62), dated 10/03/1421H.; and authorized the Minister of Finance to discuss a draft headquarters agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The Cabinet approved the appointments of Abdulaziz Al-Souli as Administrative Expert at the Grievances Court (15th rank); Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Zenidi as Civil Engineer Adviser at the Riyadh Municipality (14th rank); Ibrahim Al-Moosa as Director General of Customs at the Customs Department (14th rank); and Munif Al-Sumairi as Director General of Administration and Finance Affairs at the Customs Department (14th rank).