RIYADH, 5 November — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, yesterday called upon Muslim countries to make use of the blessed month of Ramadan to strengthen their unity and solidarity.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet meeting, Prince Abdullah also urged the Muslim world to stand by the Palestinians reeling under Israeli oppression and provide them with humanitarian assistance.
On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, the crown prince congratulated Muslims all over the world on the advent of the fasting month of Ramadan, which is likely to start tomorrow.
“At the start of this holy month, we urge Muslims to end all forms of differences and disputes to achieve solidarity, unity and cooperation in order to face challenges,” the crown prince said.
The crown prince briefed the Cabinet on the outcome of the talks the king and he had with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf last week. He said the talks focused on major Islamic and global issues and ways to enhance bilateral ties.
The Cabinet authorized Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal to hold talks with his Sudanese counterpart to sign an agreement for general cooperation between the two countries. The foreign minister was also assigned to hold talks with Belarus officials to sign an agreement for economic, commercial, investment, educational, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation. The agreement will also cover information, tourism, youth welfare and sports.
The Cabinet meeting approved a proposal by Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, on amending Articles 26 and 53 of the Military Personnel Act. As per the amendments, a serviceman will receive three months salary when he terminates his military service. “If he resumes service and then retires, he will be paid the same premium minus the benefits he has already received when he left the service.”
A serviceman, who could not temporarily perform his duties due to illness or injury while in active service, will be given a sick leave of one year and a half. During this period, the serviceman will receive his full salary. If he does not resume service after this period, his case will be referred to the medical committee which will either recommend that he be retired or his leave be extended for an additional period. In the latter case, he receives half the salary.
