At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the discussions, messages, and contacts he made with a number of leaders of brotherly and friendly countries on bilateral relations, and the events in a number of Arab countries and their repercussions as well as the latest developments at regional and international arenas, including the audience with Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Al-Jebali and the messages he received from Iraqi President Jalal Al-Talbani and Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The King briefed the Cabinet on the telephone conversations he received from Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir and Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques stressed the depth of relations between the Kingdom and these countries as well as the keenness of all of them to serve the mutual interests and global security and stability.
In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, said the Cabinet reviewed the Arab and international efforts on the situation in Syria, expressing appreciation of the Kingdom for what has been achieved during the International Conference of the Friends of the Syrian People. The Cabinet reiterated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be at the forefront of any international effort aiming to achieve urgent, comprehensive and effective solutions to protect the Syrian people, and that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia holds the international parties that disrupt the international move morally responsible for the way things turned out, especially if these parties continued in their disappointing and heedless stances on the interests of the Syrian people.
The Cabinet congratulated Yemeni President Abd Rabo Mansour Hadi on being elected President of Yemen by the Yemeni people, wishing the people of Yemen more progress, prosperity and stability.
The Cabinet lauded the statement issued by London Conference on Somalia which underscored the importance of achieving political stability in that country and the cooperation voiced by the world community during the conference to combat terrorism, piracy and starvation, hoping that the implementation of what has been agreed upon in the conference would constitute a step forward to put an end to the tragedy to which Somalian people have paid the price.The Minister of Culture and Information stated that the Cabinet has praised the efforts being exerted by the specialist commission assigned to study the proposals relating to the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for transforming the GCC from the state of cooperation to that of union among the GCC member countries. The specialist commission held its first meeting in Riyadh the other day, thanking the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and other GCC leaders for their decision to form this commission, a move that the Cabinet said embodies the unity of vision and reflects the aspirations of the peoples of the GCC countries.
On the domestic arena, the Cabinet highly appreciated the valuable contents of the speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques during an audience he held for the participants in the 9th Meeting for National Dialogue which was concluded in Hail under the theme 'Saudi Media: Reality and Means of Promotion: Bases, Roles and Future Potentials', noting that the speech of the monarch reflected his sincere commitment towards the people of the Kingdom and the tolerant Islamic faith and the importance of dialogue in serving religion and nation.
The Cabinet also underscored the importance of the 3rd Consultative Meeting of the Speakers of G20 Parliaments, hosted by the Shoura Council in Riyadh under the motif of 'Sustainable Economic Growth for a Safe World.' This is one of the most important international meetings owing to the current developments the world is witnessing today at all arenas, particularly the financial and economic crisis currently affecting some countries which calls for the concerted efforts of the world community to forge decisive solutions.
The Cabinet also welcomed the achievement of the Ministry of Justice for being ranked first in the world in the rate of speedy transfer of real estate ownership which comes as part of the outcome of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Project for the Judiciary Development.
Dr. Khoja said the Cabinet then discussed its domestic agenda and issued the following decisions:The Cabinet approved implementing a convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons and approved the manner in which they should be destroyed.
The Cabinet authorized President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, or his deputy, to prepare, discuss and sign with the Kuwaiti side a draft agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in the field of Air Transport Services.
The Cabinet approved a protocol attached to the already signed convention between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of France for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income, inheritance, and capital signed in Paris on 18/2/2011.