Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday congratulated Muhammad Mursi following his victory in Egypt's presidential election and wished him success.
He said in a statement carried by SPA: "We appreciate this choice...and hope God will grant you success and guide you in your path in the service to Islam and the service to Egypt and its people."
The Saudi Council of Ministers also congratulated Mursi on his election victory and hoped for greater security and stability for Egypt so it could play an important role in the success of Arab and Islamic causes.
The weekly Cabinet meeting approved a health monitoring system at the Kingdom’s entry points.
According to the new system, authorities will take precautionary measures toward transport vehicles coming into the Kingdom if they pose any danger to public health.
While presiding over the Cabinet meeting, King Abdullah prayed for the eternal salvation of Prince Naif, who died in Geneva on June 16. He said: “May Allah show mercy to the late prince, enter him in His Paradise and reward him for his contributions in the service of his religion and nation.”
He thanked world leaders, international organizations and Saudi people for expressing their condolences on the prince’s death.
King Abdullah welcomed Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, and Interior Minister Prince Ahmed and wished them success.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet extended its condolences to King Abdullah, the royal family, Prince Naif’s children and Saudi people on prince Naif’s death. It also congratulated Prince Salman and Prince Ahmed on their new appointments.
Prince Salman thanked King Abdullah for vesting confidence in him, and world leaders and foreign diplomats for extending their congratulations. He also thanked princes, scholars and Saudi citizens for pledging their allegiance.
He prayed to God to help him fulfill the trust in a way that would please Him and realize the king’s directives aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s security and stability.
King Abdullah later briefed the ministers on the outcome of his contact with world leaders as well as the letters he had sent to the heads of African countries to strengthen bilateral ties and promote cultural and economic cooperation.
The Cabinet expressed its satisfaction over Saudi Arabia securing eighth position in the world in a list of 10 high growth countries in 2012 published by the International Monetary Fund.
A Cabinet statement said: “This is an international certificate that reflects the strength and stability of Saudi economy and effectiveness of the Kingdom’s economic and financial policies.”
The Cabinet approved the interpretation that "Permanent Residence" mentioned in Article 2 of the Social Insurance System means a beneficiary of the social insurance system is living in the Kingdom usually on a continuous or intermittent basis throughout the year. Those obliged to travel outside the Kingdom for exceptional circumstances and stay there with the approval of the Minister of Social Affairs also come in the same category.