Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques receives messages, phone calls from leaders on regional developments

Cabinet says Kingdom’s policy won’t allow anyone to disturb peaceful atmosphere of hajj or split Muslim ranks

King Abdullah approves program to spread human rights culture

8th Saudi-Indian committee activities concluded

Saudi interior ministry reveals arms, ammunition seized in an underground cache

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired a cabinet’s session.

At the outset of the session, the king briefed the cabinet on his talks with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, hailing the strong relations between the two countries and their keenness to boost them in various fields. The king also briefed the cabinet on the contents of the messages, contacts and meetings he made last week including the message he sent to Sheikh Sabah Alahmad Aljabir Alsabah, the Emir of Kuwait, the message he received from Egyptian President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak and the telephone call he received from Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Salih.

In his statement to Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khojah said that then, the cabinet listened to a report on developments of local and external events and activities and welcomed the king’s winning of the Award of Barcelona Meeting Point for his sound, far-sighted views and visions and positive initiatives reflected in his establishment of King Abdullah Economic City.

The cabinet also hailed the king’s support for the kingdom’s universities in their scientific efforts, highlighting in this regard King Saud University’s scientific accomplishments and advanced levels among its counterparts in the world and the king’s support for education in general and higher education in particular.

The minister said the cabinet then listened to a report on preparations taken by all sectors concerned with the services of pilgrims who began arriving in the kingdom. The cabinet stressed in this regard that the kingdom’s policy does not allow any one to disrupt Hajj, undermine Hajj’s security or divide Muslims" ranks, calling on all pilgrims to avoid anything that might disrupt Hajj, and advised all to benefit from their presence in the holy places to worship God and adhere to Hajj's legal goals in line with God’s saying: "For Hajj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good ye do, (be sure) Allah knoweth it. And take a provision (With you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me, O ye that are wise," Surah 2. Al-Baqara (The Cow), verse 197.

The minister said the cabinet then continued discussion of the agenda and took the following decisions:

First, the cabinet authorized the Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior-or his deputy-to discuss a draft cooperation agreement in the field of civil defense between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of Qatar and to sign it in light of the text attached to the decision and in the framework of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.

Second, the cabinet authorized the Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior- or his deputy-to discuss a draft agreement in the field of fighting illegal trade in and trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic drugs between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of Qatar and to sign it in light of the text attached to the decision and in the framework of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.

Third, the cabinet approved the rules organizing the opening of honorary consulates and the appointment of honorary consuls in the kingdom’s regions according to the text attached to the decision.

Fourth, the cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding attached to a protocol between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of China for cooperation in the sectors of oil, gas and minerals endorsed by the royal decree number M/25 dated 25/4/1427 H. and signed in the city of Riyadh on 15/2/1430 H. corresponding to 10/2/2009 G. according to the text attached to the decision.

Fifth, the cabinet authorized the president of King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology, or his deputy, to discuss with the European Space Agency a draft agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the European Space Agency for cooperation in the field of outer space for peaceful purposes and sign it in light of the text attached to the decision.

Sixth, the cabinet approved transfers and appointments at the 15th and 14th ranks as follows:

1- Dr. Abdulaziz bin Salih bin Saad bin Salamah is transferred from the position of media advisor at the 15th rank to the position of undersecretary of the ministry for external media at the same rank at the Ministry of Culture and Information,

2- Dr. Salih bin Mohammad bin Abdullah Alnamlah is transferred from the position of undersecretary of the ministry for external media at the 15th rank to the position of media advisor at the same rank at the Ministry of Culture and Information,

3- Rashid bin Abdulrahman bin Mohammad Altwaijri is transferred from the position of legal advisor at the 14th rank to the position of director general of follow-up at the same rank at the Ministry of Interior,

4- Abdulaziz bin Salih bin Abdullah Almowanas is appointed to the position of administrative advisor at the 14 rank at the Ministry of Interior,

5- Dr. Solaiman bin Mohammad bin Abdullah Alaaidi is appointed to the position of media advisor at the 14th rank at the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Meanwhile, King Abdullah has sent a message to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, dealing with relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them.

The message was delivered to King Hamad by the Saudi Ambassador to Bahrain Dr. Abdulmohsen bin Fahd Al-Mark during an audience.

The audience was attended by senior officials of the Bahraini Royal Court.

The king also received on Tuesday a message from Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The message was handed over to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques by Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah during an audience held by the King at his palace in Riyadh.

The ambassador conveyed the greetings of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. In turn, the King sent his greetings to them.

King Abdullah has sent a cable of congratulations to the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the occasion of his re-election as UAE President.

In his own name and on behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the King wished the President permanent good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity.

The king has sent a cable of congratulations to Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai on the occasion of his victory in the presidential elections.

In his own name and on behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the King wished the President permanent good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity.

The king also received a telephone call from President Ali Abdullah Saleh of the Republic of Yemen.

During the conversation, they discussed the latest regional and international issues of common interest and bilateral relations between the two countries.

King Abdullah also received a message from Egyptian President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak.

The message was delivered to the king by Chief of Egyptian Intelligence Mr. Omar Sulaiman during an audience.

The audience was attended by a number of princes and senior officials.

The king has sent a cable of congratulations to Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul on the anniversary of Turkish Republic.

In his own name and on behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the King wished the President permanent good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity.

On the other hand, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has approved the Program of Human Rights Culture Promotion, according to Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Al-Eiban, the Chairman of Human Rights Commission.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) in Riyadh on Sunday, Dr. Al-Eiban expressed his thanks to and appreciation of the King, the Crown Prince and the Second Deputy Premier for their continued unlimited support for the Commission.

He said, "This is a blessed approval for starting the implementation of this program which is one of the important pillars set by the organization of Human Rights Commission issued by the Cabinet."

Dr. Al-Eiban added, "The Promotion of the culture of human rights is a clear example of confirmation of the King’s policy for human rights care, protection and preservation to enable citizens and residents to enjoy prosperous lives in which human values are flourished according to Sharia."

Al-Jazirah newspaper said that the approval of King Abdullah for the Program of Promotion of Human Rights Culture will provide Saudi Human Rights Commission with a strong push forward to carry out its duties particularly enlightening the society on human rights and the danger of their violation.

The paper called on the Commission to pursue scientific ways and means in promoting the culture of human rights, demanding officials in charge of the Program to rely on the Islamic religion which respects human rights.

Al-Bilad said that the King’s approval of the Program of Human Rights Culture Promotion indicates that the King of Humanity has been keen on supporting all institutions of Saudi civil society.

It pointed out that human rights have been very important in the development of human beings and the homeland.

Meanwhile, the 8th session of the Saudi-Indian joint committee was concluded in Riyadh this week.

Upon conclusion of the meeting, the two chairmen of the Saudi and Indian sides signed the minutes of the session’s meetings, including the recommendations reached by the two sides to establish a joint cooperation between the two countries in many fields, particularly in the field of economic, trade and industrial cooperation as well as the investments.

During the inaugural ceremony of the committee meeting, the Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah bin Ahmed Zainal said that the continuing strength, development and growth of relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India have met the aspirations of the two countries in the service of their joint interests in all fields, especially economy and trade.

He noted that the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to India in 2006 and the issuance of Delhi statement at the end of the visit indicate the Kingdom’s interest in developing cooperation with India in all ways and means as well as the consolidation of bilateral relations in various fields, adding that the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia points to the common desire of the two countries to continue their cooperation.

He noted that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries stood at SR 103 billion in 2008.

On his part, the Minister of Finance and Head of Indian side Pranab Mukherjee praised the support given to India by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in all forums of Group of Twenty.

He highlighted identical views between the two countries on the themes of the G-20, including the ongoing deliberations on climate change and looked forward to continued cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

The Indian Minister of Finance noted that India is currently the fifth largest trading partner to Saudi Arabia.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to India Faisal bin Hassan Trad, and Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Othman Farook.

Saudi Minister of Finance Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf had earlier received his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee currently visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to lead the Indian delegation to the meeting of Saudi-Indian Joint Committee.

During the meeting, they reviewed economic and investment cooperation between the two countries, and discussed issues of common interest.

The meeting was attended by a number of officials.

In Riyadh on Sunday, the security spokesman of the Ministry of Interior Supplemented a statement issued on 28/8/1430 H. on the arrest of a network of theorists and followers of the deviant thought and supporters of its criminal activity and seizure of weapons, ammunition and electronic circuits developed by them for remote detonation use including 50 machine guns with their ammunitions which they hid behind a concrete wall inside a house in Riyadh.

The security spokesman of the Ministry of Interior said that investigations with elements of this network reached information revealing their possession of a large quantity of weapons and ammunitions they hid in a rest house owned by one of them in a province in the region of Riyadh. They included 281 machine guns, 250 magazines and 55 ammunition boxes containing 41250 bullets.

The security spokesman added that investigations into the network are still continuing.