Riyadh - SPA

The Council of Ministers on Monday said that the Saudi-led operation in Yemen has the
support of Yemenis in the Kingdom and the international community because it seeks to
restore the legitimate government and bring peace and stability to that war-torn nation.
The weekly meeting was chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-
Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

It noted the heroic efforts of the coalition forces in neutralizing the military
capacity of the Houthi militants, said Minister of Culture and Information Adel Al-
Toraifi.

Saudi Arabia appreciates the support of the Yemeni community for Operation Decisive
Storm. The ministers said the coalition does not seek a war but wants to protect the
Yemeni people. This is why the operation has been hailed by Arab and Islamic nations,
and the wide international community, said Al-Toraifi.

The Cabinet also expressed hope that the nuclear framework agreement concluded with Iran
in Lausanne, Switzerland, recently would ensure the safety and security of the region.
It said the Kingdom and the Arab League support nations wanting to use nuclear energy
for peaceful purposes in line with the standards and instructions of the International
Atomic Energy Agency. The aim would be to create a region free of all weapons of mass
destruction, including nuclear weapons, said Al-Toraifi.

The Cabinet stressed that the security in the region requires a commitment to the
principles of good neighborliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of Arab
countries.

The ministers also welcomed the announcement of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
that it formally accepted the State of Palestine as a full member. They believe that
Palestine’s accession to the ICC would help restore the rights of the Palestinians.

According to Al-Toraifi, the Council of Ministers again appealed to the international
community to end the “Syrian tragedy which has become a humanitarian catastrophe.”
It commended the results of the Third International Doners Conference for humanitarian
aid to the Syrian people that was inaugurated by Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-
Sabah, emir of Kuwait, who said the Kingdom has spared no effort in providing assistance
to Syrian refugees.  Saudi aid to the Syrian people since 2011 has exceeded $600
million, the minister said.

The Council of Ministers welcomed the announcement by Moody’s credit rating agency that  
ranks the Kingdom at a high Aa3, and the Fitch credit rating of AA. Both institutions  
foresee a stable future for the Kingdom. This was a result of the Kingdom’s economic
policies, which has enabled it to counter global financial crises, the Cabinet said.

The Cabinet also condemned the terrorist attack that targeted the University of Garissa,
in Kenya, and expressed its condolences to the Kenyan government, people and families of
the victims.

King Salman briefed the Cabinet on the results of his talks with various leaders who
visited Saudi Arabia recently, including the Senegal president, and the President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The king also received various communications from heads of states including  US
president, and leaders of Sudan, India, Afghanistan and Britain.