RIYADH, 22 April 2008 — The Council of Ministers yesterday called upon Palestinian groups to work for a national unity government, saying it was the only way to confront Israeli intransigence and international alliances that support the Jewish state.
The Cabinet meeting, which was chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, also said that Saudi Arabia would continue its efforts to strengthen the unity of Iraqis and confront the moves by foreign and regional forces to impose their influence on the war-torn country.
King Abdullah briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with foreign leaders who visited the Kingdom during the past week, including Jordan’s King Abdallah and former US President Jimmy Carter.
Referring to the continuing political crisis in Lebanon, the Cabinet said Saudi Arabia would keep an equal distance from all Lebanese factions. “We call on all Lebanese people to strengthen their national unity in order to overcome foreign dominance,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the Cabinet as saying. “The regional influence on Lebanon goes against the concept of national choice and Islamic unity,” the Cabinet added.
The developments in Somalia also figured high on the Cabinet meeting’s agenda and it urged countries of the region not to use Somalia as their battlefield and allow Somali people and leaders to reach a national consensus, ending violence.
The Cabinet appointed Mashari ibn Badr Al-Askar, deputy minister for rural affairs, and Khaled ibn Fadhl Oqail, technical adviser at Jeddah Municipality.
Privatization of Sports Clubs
The Shoura Council yesterday urged the Presidency of Youth Welfare to start measures for the privatization of major sports clubs in the country.
The 150-member consultative body made this proposal while discussing the presidency’s annual report. The Shoura Council supported the presidency’s request for licensing 17 clubs, provided they fulfill all the requirements.
The king last year sanctioned five new sports clubs for the people with special needs in Madinah, Hail, Ahsa, Taif and Abha. The king also approved an annual financial assistance of SR500,000 for each of the five clubs.
Sultan ibn Fahd, head of the presidency, said the new clubs would have modern facilities meeting world-class standard. “They will have all the facilities required by people with special needs to develop their sporting skills,” he added.
The Shoura meeting urged the presidency to increase its cultural activities for the youth, especially during summer.
“The presidency should increase its programs in association with other social institutions and the private sector in order to encourage the youth to take part in volunteer activities,” said Ahmed Al-Yahya, assistant secretary-general of the Shoura.
The Shoura meeting, chaired by its President Dr. Saleh Bin-Humaid, endorsed a memorandum of understanding for health cooperation with Italy. The meeting also discussed the basic law for Saudi Arabian Scouts, which has 26 articles. The law will be revised taking into consideration the members’ observations.
“The Shoura has started discussing annual reports of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources for 2005 and 2006,” Al-Yahya told SPA.
