Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefs cabinet on outcome of official visit to Syria

King Abdullah says Saudi Arabia was always keen to provide itself with modern scientific, technological means

Prince Salman praises success of sports for persons with special needs

Prince Mohammed bin Naif wraps up visit to U.S. after meeting Obama, officials

Prince Khalid bin Sultan visits Dijon base in France

Prince Sultan bin Salman expounds on plan to develop national tourism for the next three years

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the weekly cabinet meeting held at Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

At the outset of the meeting, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the cabinet on his visit to Syria last week stressing that it reflects the deep and strong brotherly relations the two countries enjoy as well as the determination to boost bilateral cooperation in various fields: politics, media, economy, commerce and investment. He also added that the two countries share similar points of view regarding a number of issues in the Arab World.

The King also expressed appreciation for the generosity and hospitality shown by the Government and People of Syria.

He also briefed the cabinet on the talks, consultations and contacts he had over the past few days with a number of leaders or their envoys, including the phone call he received from King Abdullah II of Jordan.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the meeting, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja, the Minister of Culture and Information, said the cabinet listened to a report on a number of regional and international activities including the First Arab Publishers Conference held recently in Riyadh, in regard of which the King stressed the Kingdom's willingness to exert every effort to enrich Arab culture. Dr. Khoja added that the Cabinet also listened to a report on the UNESCO's 35th General Conference held last Wednesday in Paris in which the Kingdom welcomed all endeavors to achieve UNESCO's cultural and humanitarian objectives.

Khoja also said the Cabinet extended congratulations to King Saud and King Fahd universities for coming first and second respectively in the Arab World, according to the recent Times QS universal ranking, commending the two universities' academic and scientific achievements.

The cabinet also congratulated the students on the beginning of the school year for the intermediate and secondary and higher levels who showed an attendance of 90%. The cabinet said that with the beginning of school year, the Ministry of Education in coordination with the Ministry of Health implemented its plan for fighting the AH1N1 influenza and said the situation is reassuring and that it succeeded in its plan of training and raising awareness against the disease. The cabinet stressed that study at the elementary level, kindergarten, and special education will commence on Saturday.

Dr. Khoja concluded that the cabinet, having fully reviewed its agenda, issued the following decisions:

First, the cabinet approved a Saudi-Omani agreement on air services between their territories and beyond which was signed in Muscat on 5/11/1429 H. corresponding to 13/11/2008 G.

Second, the cabinet approved the basic law of the Gulf Cooperation Council criminal information center for fighting narcotics which was approved by the supreme council of the GCC in its 29th session held in Muscat on 1 and 2 Muharram 1430 H. corresponding to 29 and 30 December 2008 G.

The center's main goals are to develop and boost cooperation and coordination among member countries in the field of illegal trafficking in narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and precursor chemicals and other related forms of organized crime, and to enforce the regulations of the international law and to apply international agreements in this regard.

Third, the cabinet authorized the foreign minister or his deputy to discuss with the French side the preparation of a draft mutual agreement on exempting holders of diplomatic and private passports from entry visas between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France and sign it.

Fourth, the cabinet approved a Saudi-Turkish cooperation agreement in the field of sea transport which was signed in Riyadh on 3/2/2009.

Fifth, the cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding in the field of health quarantine of entering and exiting individuals at border points between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and China signed in Riyadh on 10/2/2009.

Sixth, the cabinet approved appointments at ranks 15 and 14, and positions of ambassador and minister plenipotentiary as follows:

1- Nasir bin Mohammad bin Nasir Alrshaidan is appointed to the position of ambassador at the Foreign Ministry,

2- Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Alhazzaa' is appointed to the position of administrative advisor, rank 15, at the Ministry of Culture and Information,

3- Abdullah bin Fahd bin Mohammad Alhosain is appointed to the position of director general of the Saudi Press Agency, rank 15, at the Ministry of Culture and Information,

4- Dr. Ahmad bin Ghormallah bin Safar Alhamrani is appointed to the position minister plenipotentiary at the Foreign Ministry,

5- Abdulaziz bin Mohammad bin Ibrahim Alhaid is appointed to the position minister plenipotentiary at the Foreign Ministry,

6- Abdullah bin Abdulrahman bin Rashid Ala'waifir is appointed to the position of minister plenipotentiary at the Foreign Ministry,

7- Foad bin Mohammad bin Ali Qasas is appointed to the position of minister plenipotentiary at the Foreign Ministry,

8- Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulatif Alabdulatif is appointed to the position of director general of follow-up, rank 14, at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has congratulated President Barack Obama of the United States of America on winning Nobel Peace Prize.

The congratulations of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been conveyed by Saudi Ambassador to the United States of America Adel Al-Jubeir.

Ambassador Al-Jubeir talked about the efforts of President Obama saying, " The efforts of President Obama since his address to the Muslim world in Cairo and his renewed active connection with the achievement of a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have given hope to people all over the world".

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has announced awarding Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to promote international diplomacy and cooperation among peoples.

On the other hand, Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Riyadh region, praised the efforts exerted by Prince Sultan bin Fahd, the chairman of the Saudi federation for the handicapped sports, in order to upgrade the programs and activities of sports for the people with special needs.

This came in a letter of thanks from the Governor of Riyadh to the federation chairman after he briefed Prince Salman on the 4th issue of the al-Abtal (Heroes) magazine, published by the federation’s information, studies and research committee.

In Riyadh, King Abdullah said that since its foundation, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been keen on acquiring the latest scientific and technological developments in all fields while preserving its Islamic creed and Arab cultural identity and is working to make the Arabic language compatible with modern technologies.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology Dr. Mohammad bin Ibrahim Alswayel at the opening of the second international symposium on computer and the Arabic language, the king praised the city's support for the Arab content on the Internet.

The king highlighted the kingdom's efforts to help the Arabic language to keep pace with scientific progress in the world.

The king welcomed the kingdom's guests who are participating in the symposium wishing them success.

Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Interior Minister for security affairs, has concluded a three-day visit to the United States of America.

During the visit, he met with a number of officials in the American administration, including U.S. Attorney Eric Holder; Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano; State Department Undersecretary for Political Affairs William Burns; the Commander of U.S. Central Command Gen. David Petraeus and a number of other government officials.

Earlier, Prince Mohammed met with U.S. President Barack Obama.

During his meetings with U.S. officials in Washington, the Saudi senior official exchanged views on topics of common interest between the two countries.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, arrived in Dijon airbase, France, to attend the joint Green Shield 2 between the Saudi Royal Air Forces (SRAF) and France's air corps.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan was accompanied by the Commander of the SRAF General Abdulrahman bin Fahd Al-Faisal, Saudi ambassador to France Dr. Mohammed bin Ismail Al Al-Sheikh, and accompanying delegation.

At the venue, Prince Khalid bin Sultan was received by senior French air officers and Saudi diplomatic officials and military officers.

Then Prince Khalid toured the Command of the air base and was briefed on the progress of the exercise by the pilots taking part in it.

For his part, Prince Khalid bin Sultan hailed the preparations taken for holding the exercise and France's role and efforts to solve disputes worldwide.

He conveyed to the participants the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, and Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister.

In a departure statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Prince Khalid bin Sultan said General Charles de Gaulle's meeting with late King Faisal bin Abdulaziz was a turning point in the French Saudi relations. Ever since, France had honorable foreign policy.

He said Saudi Arabia's cooperation with all countries depends on its national forces needs and priorities.

Saudi Arabia is the Middle East and Asia's sole country that sends its planes fully-equipped with fuel supplies and air re-fueling aircraft, for training in France, he concluded.

In Astana, the United Nations' World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has lauded the development of tourism sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the year 2009.

The facts and figures report showed a hike of the given numbers, which reflected the success of Saudi efforts to promote sustainable tourism, focusing on domestic tourism to elevate tourism services to the international standards, through the establishment of professional tourism associations to be responsible for the development of tourism related to human resources, and the establishment of a committee to oversee the tourism training programs in collaboration with Human Resources Development Fund and Ministry of Labor.

SCTA's report entitled "The road map for the promotion of tourism and travel (the primary means of job creation and economic recovery)", which was presented to the ministers and officials from 153 Member States of the Organization, indicated that Saudi government had increased the budget allocation of the tourism sector by 11% to SR 385 million in the fiscal year 2009, and also approved bank-financing of small and medium-sized antiquities projects.

It is noteworthy that Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has led the Saudi delegation to the 18th session of the general Assembly of United Nations' World Tourism Organization recently concluded in Kazakhstan Capital.

In Geneva, Minister of Education Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Saud, Head of the Saudi delegation to UNESCO's 35th General Conference, said that the Kingdom "is working on boosting relations with international organizations concerned with sciences and education particularly UNESCO".

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Prince Faisal stressed that through such cooperation, the Kingdom could do a lot for the future of education. He also expressed happiness at the new phase UNESCO is entering.

The minister also lauded the King's endeavors for the development of education adding that such projects are like cornerstones for a better education with a sustainable development.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia confirmed its firm ethical commitment towards international chapters and treaties issued by UNESCO within its humanitarian mission.

Addressing UNESCO's 35th conference which proceeds through October 23 in Geneva, Prince Faisal, who led his country's delegation to the event, said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated more than $90 billion to UNESCO over the last three decades in the form of corporate and money assistance and soft unpaid loans benefiting 86 developing countries, far higher than the targeted rate according to the UN.

Furthermore, the Kingdom donated $300 million for a special Research and Studies fund on climate change. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was awarded the title of the World Champion for Combating Hunger last year for his donation of $500 million for the assistance of the world poor.

Prince Faisal highlighted what he termed as the most important three principles for this century's human being: to accept geographical neighborhood, share opportunities for learning and dignified life and preserve the elements of nature.

He gave an account on King Abdullah comprehensive project for the promotion of public and higher education in the Kingdom, culminated last week by the opening of King Abdullah University for Science and Technology aiming at attracting renowned thinkers and researchers from all over the world to tackle a variety of world problems.

The Minister also recalled the King's initiative for inter-faith dialogue held in Madrid and New York.

The Kingdom earnestly calls for the application of UNESCO resolution No. 34/58 regarding the educational and cultural institutions in the occupied Arab territories and the call for preservation of Al-Quds legacy, he said. He underscored the importance of Palestine joining the UNESCO as eligible member.

The Minister also called for filling the still-wide digital knowledge gap between the developed and developing societies. By 2015, we have to get it achieved, he said.

UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura met in Paris on Tuesday evening with Prince Faisal.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to UNESCO, Dr. Ziad Al-Drees.

During the meeting, they discussed a number of topics of interest to the Organization and its humanitarian role around the world.

Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Saud expressed his pleasure over his visit and participation for the first time in one of the important forums of UNESCO, appreciating its humanitarian contributions and activities in the areas of education, culture and science.

He stressed that the Kingdom stands by UNESCO and seeks for developing aspects of partnership with the Organization.

The Prince said, "In his international call for dialogue between peoples, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, expresses the Islamic spirit that respects the others. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attracts the attention of more than 1.5 billion Muslims. Its message to the world is love and peace. That is what the King wished to promote through these initiatives. The most recent one is the opening of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), which includes students from various nationalities."

On his part, UNESCO Director General welcomed the Prince, expressing UNESCO'S appreciation for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in particular its contributions to the promotion of dialogue.

He pointed in this regard to Madrid and New York conferences for dialogue among followers of religions and cultures.

Matsuura noted that the conferences have been among the most prominent humanitarian activities of the call for rapprochement led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

In London, an exhibition of rare historical photographs on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was held in Windows Royal Castle in London.

The photos were taken by Princess Allis, granddaughter of Queen Victoria of Britain, during a trip of Saudi Arabia in the year 1983. The royal couple, Princess Allis and her husband, was the first British or European royal members to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The two-week exhibition was opened by Princess Alexandra, Saudi Charge d'Affaires in the United Kingdom Abdulrahman Al-Suhaibani, Deputy Supervisor of King Abdulaziz Public Library Dr. Abdulkareem bin Abdulrahman Al-Zaid and Lady O. Glaive.

In statements to the Saudi Press Agency, a number of officials commented on the significance of the event.

For his part, Al-Zaid said Princess Allis is not an ordinary person and her shots were not ordinary photos. She was then an influential member of the British royal family who paved the way for better bilateral relations between the two kingdoms.

He revealed that the exhibition is part of King Abdulaziz Public Library's program to hold similar shows in Europe and other areas of the world to further introduce to them the Saudi history, geography, nature and culture.