The 24th ordinary session of the Shoura Council was presided over by its Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh on Monday.

The council’s Secretary-General Muhammed Al-Ghamdi said the draft MoU was approved with a majority of votes on a recommendation made by the council’s Committee on Transport, Communications and Information Technology.

According to Al-Ghamdi, the members stressed the strong need for enhanced maritime safety and marine environmental protection. “The members said the living conditions of the crew on board must be improved and that Gulf states should exercise a uniform control over the seaports. Proper exchange of information should be implemented while maintaining a healthy competitions among ports.”

In a report presented by the Committee on Social Affairs and Family and Youth, the house suggested an amendment to the Social Security System issued by Royal Decree No. (M / 45) and date of 7/7/1427 AH.

In the proposed amendment, the council said the particular clause on permanent residence in the Kingdom should read as “Saudis residing in the Kingdom and the children of Saudi widows whose husbands are foreigners.”

Due to the difference of opinions put forward by the council's members, the house decided to take up the matter after two weeks of intensive study by the committee concerned.