Kingdom calls for UN action on Syria

Saudi Arabia yesterday welcomed the UN General Assembly's adoption of an Arab-sponsored resolution on Syria, asserting the decision reflected the feelings of the international community toward the suffering of the Syrian people. The worsening situation of the Syrian people “necessitated quick and decisive action to initiate a political process that would pave the way for meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people, alleviating their grievances,” the Council of Ministers said following its weekly meeting at Al-Salam Palace. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who chaired the Cabinet meeting, expressed his satisfaction over the qualitative services being rendered to the guests of God who have come from different parts of the world to perform Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan. Culture and Information Minister Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja said King Abdullah briefed the ministers on the content of messages he sent to leaders of OIC countries to attend the emergency Islamic Solidarity Summit in Makkah on Aug. 14-15. King Abdullah appealed to Allah to guide Muslims to adhere to Shariah and the Prophet's Sunnah (sayings and deeds) and lead them to greater success and prosperity. “The Cabinet condemned the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar as well as the brutal acts and flagrant violations of human rights against the Muslim population with the aim of coercing them to leave their homeland,” Khoja said, adding that the Cabinet urged the world community to take immediate action to protect Muslims in Myanmar. The Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the king’s order to disburse SR 1,360,696,500 among all families registered with Social Insurance and commended the Saudi leader’s humanitarian gesture. The Cabinet authorized Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, to hold talks with Finnish officials to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Finnish Ministry of Defense to strengthen defense cooperation. The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement with Iraq in the field of extraditing those convicted of freedom-depriving penalties. The agreement was signed in Riyadh on March 18, 2012. The Cabinet approved amendment of article (first) of the Cabinet's decision No. 58 dated 7/3/1433H by omitting paragraph 4 relating to the representation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Board of Saudi Wildlife Authority. The Cabinet approved licensing China Bank for Industry and Commerce to open a branch in the Kingdom and authorized the minister of finance to decide on any other request, later on, to open other branches for the bank in the Kingdom. However, the Cabinet insisted that the China Bank should abide the Kingdom’s Bank Monitoring System, Act of Companies, Foreign Investment Act and other acts, regulations and directives. In this regard, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency was instructed to coordinate with the bank to complete necessary producers. The Cabinet reshuffled the Patents Committee, an affiliate of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. The committee’s new members are: Mohammed Al-Ajlan, president, Mutlaq bin Abdullah Al- Hanaki, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Obaid, Dr. Abdullah Al-Bishr, and Dr. Ibrahim Al Mueddi. Meanwhile, King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman congratulated the Saudi team to London Olympics for winning bronze in show jumping competition. From: Arabnews