JEDDAH, 23 August 2005 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday commended the country’s security forces for their successful campaign to root out terrorism with the minimum loss of men and material. He also praised the citizens for their united stand against terrorists.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet meeting, the king called for joint international efforts to deal with all forms of terrorist acts. The meeting approved the calendar for 2005-06 and 2006-07 academic years.
“King Abdullah praised the incessant achievements made by security forces in confronting deviant elements and making intensive and coordinated efforts to root out terrorism,” Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani said after the meeting.
King Abdullah underscored the pre-emptive operations of Saudi forces to foil terrorist attacks by surrounding militant hideouts, leaving minimum human and material losses.
The Cabinet condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Jordan and Bangladesh.
The king emphasized his government’s resolve to complete various projects related to the expansion of the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah and mobilize the Kingdom’s full resources in the service of Haj and Umrah pilgrims.
The Cabinet highlighted the significance of the royal decree, raising salaries of government employees and allocating about SR80 billion for various welfare and development projects.
“It’s aimed at mobilizing the state’s potentials and budget surplus to meet the living and service requirements of citizens, create more jobs for Saudis, intensify investment projects and achieve comprehensive and balanced development in all parts of the country,” it said.
The Cabinet approved the new Civil Aviation Law, which was earlier endorsed by the Shoura Council. “The law emphasizes the Kingdom’s sovereignty and control over civilian airports, planes and air operations,” the Saudi Press Agency said quoting a Cabinet statement.
According to the schedules approved by the Cabinet, academic year 2005-06 will begin on Sept. 10. Eid Al-Fitr holidays will start on Oct. 27 and end on Nov. 11. Eid Al-Adha holidays will start on Jan. 5, 2006 and end on Jan. 21. First semester exams are scheduled to start on Jan. 23 while mid-term holidays will start on Feb. 2.
Second semester will begin on Feb. 11 and the exams will start on May 26. End of the year holidays will start on June 8.
