JEDDAH, 19 April 2005 — Saudi Arabia will go ahead with its reform and development programs, adopting strategic plans in tune with international economic developments, said Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet meeting at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, Prince Sultan also underscored the tremendous progress achieved by the Shoura Council. “The increase in Shoura members from 60 to 150 will improve its work, in terms of quality and quantity,” he said.
Transport Minister and Acting Information Minister Dr. Jabara Al-Seraisry said the Cabinet meeting reviewed the outcome of Crown Prince Abdullah’s recent visit to France and said the royal visit helped in strengthening Saudi-French ties.
“The visit also reflected Saudi Arabia’s international profile and its outstanding regional role,” the Saudi Press Agency said quoting a Cabinet statement.
The Cabinet denounced Israeli attacks in the occupied Arab territories and its grabbing of more land from Palestinian villages as well as the killing and displacement of Palestinians. It also criticized the Israeli move to obstruct every peace initiative.
The meeting approved a number of bilateral agreements — with Albania for economic, commercial, investment, educational, information, tourism and sports cooperation; another with Syria for scientific and educational cooperation and a third with Tunisia for cooperation in marine transportation and seaports.
The Cabinet appointed Abdullah Al-Muhaimeed secretary-general of the Supreme Judiciary Council, Essam ibn Saad Saeed assistant chairman of the Commission of Experts, and Dr. Adel ibn Muhammad Noufal minister plenipotentiary at the Foreign Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Shoura Council yesterday approved a memorandum of understanding and two agreements with Yemen as well as Saudi Arabia’s accession to the Convention of UN Privileges and Immunities. It also agreed to endorse the Stockholm Treaty on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
The Shoura meeting also approved the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of sub-committees. Dr. Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Rabeea is chairman of the Islamic Affairs and Human Rights Committee while Dr. Shuwaish Al-Motairy heads the Economic and Energy Committee. Hamdi Abu Zaid chairs the Social Affairs, Family and Manpower Committee.
