RIYADH, 5 November 2003 — Saudi Arabia yesterday urged the international community to adopt a firm and decisive position against the continuing Israeli military aggression on the Palestinian people and revive the peace process.
The Council of Ministers, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, also condemned Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians including destruction of their homes and property.
“The Cabinet meeting also reviewed the situation in Iraq and expressed its hope that Iraq will remain an independent and stable country with its unity and sovereignty protected,” Culture and Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy said after the meeting.
The meeting expressed regret over the absence of Iraqi representatives at the recently concluded meeting of the foreign ministers of Iraq’s neighboring countries in the Syrian capital Damascus.
Referring to domestic issues, King Fahd urged ministers to speed up matters of importance to Saudi citizens. The Cabinet authorized the foreign minister to hold talks with his Hungarian counterpart to sign a memorandum of understanding for consultation between the two foreign ministries.
The Cabinet exempted Palestinian products from customs tariffs for another year. It appointed Dr. Ahmad ibn Homoud Al-Rowdan director general for administrative and financial affairs at the Ministry of Interior and Dr. Muhammad ibn Mansour Al-Omran assistant deputy minister for female students and examinations at the Ministry of Education.
