The meeting was presided by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who completes his fifth lunar year as monarch on Wednesday. He assumed power on Aug. 1, 2005.
“The council stressed the achievements of the Kingdom over the past five years under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, making people’s life more prosperous and dignified," Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the weekly Cabinet meeting. "The Kingdom also played a notable role in the international scene, reflecting the king’s prudent policies that seeks the well being of the citizens and others. The council also noted his initiatives in supporting Arab and Islamic causes on international stages apart from his efforts to solve humanitarian issues and to achieve safety and stability in the world.”
The council was briefed on the deliberations of the emergency meeting of the Arab foreign ministers following the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla, Khoja said.
The council also discussed the outcome of the meetings of the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the ASEAN and the Organization of the Islamic Conference which strongly condemned the Israeli aggression against the Freedom Flotilla and demanded the immediate lifting of the Gaza blockade in compliance with the relevant Security Council resolutions. It also backed the the demand of the UN Human Rights Council to set up an independent committee to investigate Israel’s violation of international law.
The council was briefed on the report of the finance minister about the outcome of the meeting of the finance ministers and central bank governors of G20 countries in Busan, Khoja said.
The council ordered the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Protection to continue monitoring the Al-Madinah Cement Company in Marat village, Riyadh province, in order to ensure the plant adheres to environmental regulations on emissions. The decision follows a complaint from the residents of the village against the plant’s environment pollution.
The council approved the Kingdom's joining the United Nations Convention on Jurisdictional Immunities of States.
The council authorized the minister of Islamic affairs to discuss and sign with Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs a memorandum of understanding on Islamic affairs and endowments.
The Cabinet endorsed a memorandum of cooperation in science and education between the Saudi Ministry of Higher Education and Holland's Ministry of Education, Culture and Sciences.
The council authorized the president of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology to discuss and prepare draft agreements of cooperation in science and technology separately with Turkey and South Africa.
The Cabinet appointed Abdullah Al-Shaghrud ambassador in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Qader Al-Fantoukh undersecretary for planning and information in the Ministry of Education and Saleh Al-Sheryan director general of auditing of establishments and companies at the General Auditing Bureau.
