JEDDAH, 18 April 2005 — The Shoura Council yesterday held its first regular session after the recent reshuffle and formed 12 sub-committees that included those on foreign affairs, security, human rights, finance, economy and energy.
Dr. Saleh Bin-Humaid, the council’s chairman, thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd for rejuvenating the consultative body by increasing its strength from 120 members to 150.
King Fahd inaugurated the new council on Tuesday and said Saudi Arabia would go ahead with political and economic reforms. The king’s speech dealt with foreign policy, economic liberalization, privatization programs and women’s employment.
“I am sure that the coming sessions of the Shoura will witness qualitative changes in terms of responsibilities, powers, structure and mode of work,” Bin-Humaid said. He welcomed the new members and thanked outgoing members for their contributions.
During the last four-year term, the council debated 438 vital topics, adopted 387 resolutions regarding laws, agreements, charters and annual reports of ministries and government departments, Bin-Humaid said. He added that the council members had full freedom to express their views openly.
Dr. Saleh Al-Malik, secretary-general of the council, said the sub-committees met yesterday to choose their chairmen and vice chairmen. The Foreign Affairs Committee includes Dr. Ismail Shouri, Dr. Bandar Al-Aiban, Dr. Abdullah Bukhari and Dr. Muhammad Al-Hulwa while the Islamic Affairs and Human Rights Committee includes Abdul Mohsen Al-Obaikan, Saad Al-Harbi, Abdullah Al-Ajlan and Abdul Aziz Al-Rabeea.
Prominent members on the Financial Affairs Committee are Dr. Osama Abu Gharara, Dr. Walid Arab Hashim, Dr. Muhammad Ehsan Buhulaiga, Osama Kurdi and Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Oraier. The Economic Affairs and Energy Committee includes Dr. Basim Al-Ibrahim, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil and Dr. Bandar Hajjar.
