RIYADH, 25 March 2003 — The Kingdom yesterday called for a speedy end to the US-led war on Iraq and reiterated its total rejection of a military occupation of Iraq.
The Council of Ministers, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, also said that the Kingdom will not take part in any military action against Iraq.
“While following the painful events taking place in Iraq and the killing of civilians, the Kingdom stresses the necessity of ending the military operations soon,” the Cabinet said in a statement.
“The Kingdom reaffirms that resolving the Iraqi crisis and its consequences must be done through joint global effort within the framework of international legitimacy,” Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy said, quoting the Cabinet statement.
The Cabinet also called for implementing UN Security Council resolutions and affirmed the need to preserve Iraq’s security, unity, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Cabinet sought measures to safeguard “Iraq’s civil establishments for the service of the Iraqi people.”
Al-Farsy said the Cabinet renewed an agreement with Egypt for cooperation in veterinary services for five years from July 12.
The Cabinet meeting set up a national committee for the elderly in the Kingdom on the recommendation of Labor and Social Affairs Minister Dr. Ali Al-Namlah.
The committee, chaired by the minister, will draft general policies and set out plans and programs for the welfare of the elderly. The 12-member committee includes representatives from the Ministries of Islamic Affairs, Education, Health, Information, Labor and Social Affairs, and Planning.
It also comprises representatives from the Pensions Fund, General Organization for Social Insurance, Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Sultan Charitable Foundation and the Salman Social Center for the Elderly.
Al-Farsy said the new panel will also set out rules and regulations, develop services for the elderly, organize conferences and seminars, conduct studies and research and establish a database on senior citizens.
The Cabinet approved the Saudi Railway Organization’s final accounts for 2001.
