JEDDAH, 27 April 2004 — Saudi Arabia said yesterday it was intensifying its campaign against terrorism and announced new incentives for security forces assigned to hunt down suspected militants and extremists.
The Council of Ministers, which met in Riyadh, said Wednesday’s bombing “will not affect the unity of the Kingdom and the cohesion between its people and leadership,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, said the attack carried out by “a deviant group” would only strengthen “the Kingdom’s resolve to fight all forms of terrorism.”
It said the bombing, which targeted a security building in the capital for the first time, would not weaken the morale of police officers in the country. The Cabinet also warned people who give protection to criminals. “They will be considered a partner in the crime,” it said.
Earlier, King Fahd issued a decree introducing an anti-terrorism allowance. Security and intelligence officers in charge of anti-terror operations will be entitled to the bonus, which is 25 percent of their basic salary.
The king ordered a committee under the chairmanship of Interior Minister Prince Naif to identify the officers in various security sectors entitled to the money.
“The allowance is introduced to encourage our men in all (security sectors) to confront terrorism,” the decree said and appreciated the officers’ sacrifices during confrontations with terrorists.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting condemned Israeli threats to assassinate Palestine President Yasser Arafat as a flagrant violation of human rights.
The Kingdom urged the international community to take stern action against Israel and put an end to its arrogance in the ongoing move to exterminate the Palestinian people.
New Pharmacy Law
The Cabinet approved a new law for pharmacies, which spells out the conditions for granting licenses for opening pharmacies, warehouses for pharmaceutical and herbal products, or medical consultancies, and pharmaceutical centers.
The law states that ownership is restricted to Saudis and at least one of the partners must be a licensed pharmacist, SPA said.
In other decisions, the Cabinet appointed Abdullah ibn Hamad Al-Saeed adviser for rights affairs at the Riyadh governorate, Abdul Aziz ibn Hamza Gazzaz minister plenipotentiary at the Foreign Ministry, Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al-Shawi assistant managing director of Saudi Fund for Development, and Fayez ibn Ali Al-Shahry director of administrative and financial affairs at the General Bureau of Supervision.
The Cabinet also made a change in the rules and regulations related to granting land. According to the new law, the applicant for land must be at least 18 years old. However, orphans and those having special needs will be exempted from the law.
Bachelor Accommodation
The Shoura Council yesterday passed new regulations related to bachelor accommodation in residential areas.
As per the regulations, real estate owners must get special permission before constructing buildings to house singles.
The buildings must be on main roads next to residential districts and at least 500 meters away from girls’ schools and dormitories, Dr. Hamoud Al-Badr, secretary-general of the council, said.
Company quarters designed to accommodate more than 300 workers must be located outside residential areas, he added.
