JEDDAH, 22 August 2006 — The Council of Ministers yesterday emphasized the government’s plan to strengthen the Kingdom’s armed forces by acquiring modern technology and weapons, including the highly capable Eurofighter Typhoon jets. “We have bought Typhoon aircraft, the most efficient fighter jets in the world, paying the same price at which they are sold to the British air force,” Crown Prince Sultan told the Cabinet meeting chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Sultan, who is also deputy premier and defense and aviation minister, was referring to a recent deal signed with Britain to purchase 72 Typhoon jets. “Some of these aircraft will be assembled and manufactured in the Kingdom,” he said.
As part of the new military development program, the crown prince said Saudis would be trained in operation, maintenance and modernization. The British Ministry of Defense said Friday it had endorsed the Typhoon deal. The purchase is being carried out to replace British-made Tornados and other jets.
The Cabinet meeting also commended the successful campaigns being carried out by Saudi military and security forces to track down terrorists. “We are determined to root out terrorism,” King Abdullah said and called for greater international cooperation to combat terror which threatens innocent people everywhere.
The Cabinet urged the international community to stop the Israeli atrocities including wars, killings, kidnapping and arresting Palestinian leaders and economic blockades, saying such practices would not bring peace to the Jewish state.
Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani said the Cabinet voiced its support for the Lebanese government to confront Israeli aggression. Saudi Arabia urged all parties to abide by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 that ended a month-long Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“The Kingdom will continue to provide assistance to the Lebanese government and people,” Madani said. As many as 42 trucks carrying 800 tons of relief supplies such as foodstuff, medicine and tents left Riyadh and Jeddah for Lebanon on Sunday.
The Cabinet meeting reiterated that Middle East peace and stability could be achieved only through a just and comprehensive settlement in the region. It urged the United States and other influential countries to revive the peace process on the basis of international charters and resolutions.
The meeting also took a number of other decisions to strengthen the Kingdom’s relations with several countries. It endorsed an agreement with Pakistan for avoiding double taxation and preventing tax evasion. The agreement that was signed Feb. 2 will be applied on Saudi and Pakistani residents in both countries.
The Cabinet authorized the higher education minister to sign a memorandum of understanding with Tunisia for scientific cooperation.
In the light of a proposal made by Health Minister Hamad Al-Manie, the meeting allowed King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh to float operation and marketing of its support services and some other facilities to the private sector in order to improve their efficiency and cut public spending. It also approved regulations governing the medical city’s fund.
It appointed Prince Bandar ibn Mashari ibn Saud administrative adviser at the Defense and Aviation Ministry, and Abdullah ibn Hamad Al-Subhan, director general for follow-up at the Education Ministry.
