RIYADH, 15 October — Saudi Arabia yesterday denounced the escalating Israeli attacks on unarmed Palestinian civilians and called upon the international community to force Tel Aviv to stop its aggressions and atrocities.
In a statement following the weekly Council of Ministers meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, the Kingdom also blasted Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon for his plan to continue military operations in Gaza city.
“The announcement (by Sharon) in this respect affirms the Israeli government’s determination to continue its aggression, in defiance of international will,” Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy quoted the Cabinet statement as saying.
The Cabinet reviewed the progress of industrial and investment projects in various parts of the country. King Fahd highlighted the importance of industry in boosting the national economy, diversifying revenue sources and creating more jobs for Saudis.
King Fahd commended the “excellent role” being played by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) in promoting the Kingdom’s industrial sector and exports.
“Saudi industries, especially petrochemical industries, are now competing with others in international markets. They market their products in more than 100 countries -- a major achievement Saudi Arabia can be proud of,” the king told the ministers.
It was noted that Saudi industrial products have penetrated many international markets, especially in Asia, Europe and America, as a result of their good quality.
The Cabinet approved plans to recruit nurses and technicians from South Korea.
The health minister will hold talks with his South Korean counterpart to sign a memorandum of understanding in this respect during the forthcoming Saudi-Korean Joint Commission meeting.
The Cabinet also endorsed an agreement for cooperation signed by the Higher Education Ministry with the University of Rouen in France.
It authorized the finance minister or his deputy to sign an agreement with Lebanon for technical cooperation.
The Cabinet appointed 10 persons as reserve members in preliminary panels to settle labor disputes.
They are: Saud ibn Mohammed Al-Misaar, Dukhayyil ibn Saad Al-Shahrani, Ibrahim Al-Omairaini, Saleh Al-Sultan, Hassan Al-Isa, Salman Al-Jareed, Khaled Al-Towayyan, Salim Al-Shamri, Abdul Aziz Al-Suleiman and Mohammed ibn Diab Al-Shibani.
The Cabinet authorized the minister of labor and social affairs to include these members in the Higher Committee for Settling Disputes to participate in discussions on labor disputes taken up by primary panels.
