Riyadh- SPA

Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday afternoon.

At the outset of the session, the Council of Ministers highly valued the contents of the Royal Order issued last Monday on procedures and sanctions against individuals who participate in hostilities outside the Kingdom or belong to extremist religious or intellectual currents or groups.

The Council commended the ongoing preparations for launching the twenty ninth session of the National Festival for Heritage and Culture in Janadriya. Organized by Ministry of National Guard, the event will be patronized - on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - by Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense.

While briefing the Council on the contents of his talks with the Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Dr. Hazem Al-Beblawi, Crown Prince highlighting the strong fraternal relationship binding the two countries and their peoples.

The Council of Ministers expressed deep condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased and injured as a result of the sad fire accident that took place in a hotel in Madinah on Saturday, praying for mercy and forgiveness to the deceased, speedy recovery to the injured and condolence and fortitude to their families.

The Cabinet reviewed reports on the latest developments in the region and the world, including the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Denouncing the decision of the Israeli occupation authorities on the plan to build 558 new housing units in East Al-Quds, the cabinet stressed that this decision which is contrary to international laws and resolutions indicates continuation of Israeli intransigence in disrupting efforts to achieve a just peace and establish a Palestinian state at Al-Quds as its capital.

The Cabinet expressed thanks to the Palestinian presidency for its appreciation and thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for its sincere support to the Palestinian cause and people throughout the stages of their struggle. It also thanked the Palestinian presidency for its statement that the Kingdom has fulfilled all its commitments to support the Palestinian people in accordance with the decisions of the Arab summits, including its support for the funds of Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa, erection of a large number of projects under the management of the Administrative Committee of the two Funds in Al-Quds, other Palestinian cities and Diaspora,  Kingdom's fulfillment of its share in the financial safety net, and its provision of additional support at the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques which is paid responsibly and regularly.