Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has agreed to a proposal by the GCC to step down within 30 days and hand power to his deputy in exchange for immunity from prosecution, state television announced Saturday. The opposition demanding Saleh’s departure earlier said it has also agreed to the Gulf mediators’ proposal but with reservations. It objects to an article that gives Parliament the right to reject the president’s resignation.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, also urged the international community to activate the Middle East peace process and force Israel to take part in the peace process seriously and sincerely. The Kingdom denounced Israel’s continuing settlement policy.
While reviewing developments in some Arab countries and their implications, the Cabinet stressed the need for dealing with them in such a way that would restore peace and stability in those countries.
Addressing the Cabinet, Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf said the large-scale government spending on infrastructure and social sectors would improve IMF’s expectations about the Kingdom’s economic growth. Al-Assaf made this statement while briefing the Cabinet on IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington.
Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said the Cabinet authorized Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal to hold talks with the UN Development Program to make changes in the agreement on UNDP headquarters in Riyadh.
The Cabinet authorized Justice Minister Muhammad Al-Eissa to hold talks with his GCC counterparts regarding a unified GCC law to combat information technology crimes in the member countries. The GCC groups Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. Khoja said the Cabinet endorsed the Arab strategy for water security to confront challenges and future requirements for sustainable development (2010-2030). It authorized Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen to sign the strategy, which will be revised after every five years.
“The Cabinet authorized the minister of culture and information to set out regulations for the sale of the ministry’s radio and television products and their prices, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance,” Khoja said while explaining the Cabinet decisions.
