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May 20, 2005 |
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THE SAUDI CABINET IS BRIEFED ON THE RESULTS OF THE ARAB-SOUTH AMERICAN SUMMIT. THE CABINET STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE UNITY OF THE LEBANESE PEOPLE TO ENHANCE THEIR COUNTRY'S SECURITY AND STABILITY. THE SIGNING OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE SAUDI JOINT COMMITTEE FOR THE RELIEF OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE RED CROSS. SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN SIGN A COOPERATION AGREEMENT IN THE FIELD OF MARITIME TRANSPORT. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has ordered the distribution of a total of 2,769, 750 copies of the holy Quran in Arabic and translation versions of its meanings in 13 languages. These copies of the most sacred book are published by King Fahd Complex for the Printing of Holy Quran in Madinah. The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance and the Supervisor of the complex thanked the King for his noble gesture and his continuous care of Muslims' affairs all over the world. He told SPA that the distribution, under the King's order, will take place in a large number of government bodies , centers and organizations inside the Kingdom as well as a number of Saudi embassies and Islamic centers and organizations abroad. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, chaired the cabinet's weekly session at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh. At the outset of the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the outcomes of South American and Arab Summit concluded in Brazil's capital, Brasilia, last week. The Cabinet commended the Summit's commitment to peace, security and stability in the world that should be based on adherence to multilateral relations; respect for the international law and human rights; the banning of nuclear weapons proliferation and mass destruction weapons; respect for the principles of countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity; and a peaceful settlement of all international, regional and bilateral conflicts in accordance with the international law, the United Nations Charter and through diplomatic channels. The Cabinet noted that Brasilia Summit has achieved understanding and laid new foundations for building a strategic partnership between the Arab world and South American countries particularly in economic and commercial fields along with the political agreement on the issues that have been discussed. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Iyad Ibn Amine Madani, the Minister of Culture and Information, said that the Cabinet reviewed the efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance the Summit's political, economic and cultural visions and objectives. Then the Cabinet was informed of the contents of contacts, meetings and consultations held over the previous days with a number of leaders, officials and envoys of brotherly and friendly countries on the developments of events in the region and the world. On another topic, the Cabinet was briefed on the results of the meetings which were held between the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Crown Prince and the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Lebanon's Premier Najib Miqati. The talks dealt with the events in the region particularly the situations in Lebanon which necessitate the unity of the Lebanese people to enhance their country's security and stability. The strong and brotherly relations binding the two countries and ways of their enhancement were also reviewed. The Minister of Culture and Information said the Cabinet then reviewed the local items on its agenda and issued the following decisions: The Cabinet approved the draft framework agreement for economic, commercial, investment and technical cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council member states on one hand and the Peoples Republic of China on the other aiming at expanding and liberalizing commercial relations and exchanging economic and commercial delegations' visits. Based on recommendations of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Commerce and Industry to tackle the current situation of cement market in the Kingdom which witnessed increasing demand and based on the GCC 25th summit resolution allowing member states to exempt imported cement coming from non-GCC countries from customs tariffs for one year, effective January 1, 2005, the Cabinet ordered that the GCC resolution be carried out by levying a 5 percent custom fee on cement instead of the current protectionist fee of 20 percent, effective 1/12/1426 H. provided that the state shouldered this fee starting 9/4/1426 H. and until the date of enforcing the above-mentioned 5 percent customs fee. The Cabinet decided that private care centers which provide partial care for the handicapped during certain periods will be granted annual bursaries for each case they accept, provided that the bursary would not exceed half of the annual bursary allocated for the handicapped parents or whoever in charge of them. This bursary is additional to what is paid to the parents of the disabled according to regulations put by the Minister of Social Affairs. The Cabinet authorized the Governor of the General Commission for Investment or his deputy to sign the draft agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore aiming at encouraging and mutually protecting investments between the two countries and facilitating their entry. The agreement's signed version will then be forwarded for further authentication. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at the Royal Court at Alyamamah palace in Riyadh a number of princes, ministers, senior officials and citizens who came to greet him. The audience was attended by Prince Mohammed Ibn Abdullah Ibn Juluwe; Prince Abdullah Ibn Musaed Ibn Abdul Rahman; Prince Saud Ibn Fahd Ibn Megrin; Prince Khalid Ibn Musaed Ibn Abdul Rahman; Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court; and senior protocol officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received citizens and officers of the National Guard who came to greet him. The audience was attended by a number of officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at Alyamamah palace in Riyadh princes, ministers, senior officials and a group of citizens who came to greet him. The Crown Prince also received a delegation of Tabuk-based Al-Fuhaiqat Tribe from Manabha of Anzah who denounced the criminal acts perpetrated by the deviating group. The Crown Prince thanked them for their support for and loyalty to the leadership, homeland and religion. The audiences were attended by a number of princes and officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at Alyamamah palace in Riyadh the Chairman of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry Salih Abdullah Kamel and members of the Chamber's Executive Committee following the conclusion of their recent meeting in Jeddah during which Kamel was unanimously elected Chairman of the Chamber in succession of late Ismail Abu Dawood. The Crown Prince congratulated the new chairman on his election and wished them all success, stressing that the Kingdom and its leadership have been exerting all efforts in the service of Islam and Muslims. The meeting was attended by Prince Fahd Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Tabuk Region, a number of princes and officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, also received at Alyamamah palace in Riyadh today Member of Lebanon's House of Representatives Naseeb Lahoud. The audience was attended by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Fahd Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdulaziz, the Governor of Tabuk Region; a number of princes and officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received a telephone call from President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal. During the conversation, President Wade congratulated Crown Prince Abdullah on the success of his recent trip to France and the United States of America. Fraternal relations between the two countries and latest regional and international developments were also discussed. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at his office at the Royal Court at Alyamamah palace in Riyadh the Iranian Minister of Trade Mohammad Madari and accompanying delegation. At the outset of the meeting, Madari conveyed to the Crown Prince the greetings of Iranian Islamic Republic's Guide (spiritual leader) Ali Khamnae' and President Mohammed Khatami. On his part, Crown Prince Abdullah sent his greetings to the Iranian leadership. The audience was attended by Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, advisor at the Crown Prince's Court; Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court; Dr. Hashim Ibn Abdullah Yamani, the Minister of Commerce and Industry; and senior protocol officials. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at his office at the Royal Court at Alyamamah palace in Riyadh the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Dr. Jacob Kellenberger and accompanying delegation. The audience was attended by Prince Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, advisor at the Crown Prince's Court; Prince Dr. Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court; senior protocol officials and Saudi Red Crescent Society senior officials. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General received the President of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Dr. Jacob Kellenberger, and his accompanying delegation. The audience was attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Acting Minister of Health, Dr. Fahd Balghunaim, and the Acting President of Saudi Red Crescent Society, Dr. Saleh Al-Tuwaijry. On the other hand under the directives of Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister, a joint Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) was signed to help finance a number of humanitarian projects and programs, costing SR 4, 000, 000. The finance is provided by The Saudi Committee for the Relief of the Palestinian People. The joint Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Saed Al-Harthi, the Interior Minister's Advisor and the Chairman of The Saudi Committee for the Relief of the Palestinian People; Dr. Saleh Al-Tuwaijry, the Acting President of The Saudi Red Crescent Society; and Dr. Jacob Kellenberger, the President of The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). These humanitarian projects and programs for the Palestinian people will be implemented by the ICRC. Dr. Al-Harthi told reporters that this comes within the framework of assisting the Palestinian people through all available channels including cooperating with international organizations for the joint financing. He said that food packages will be monthly distributed for more than 2, 500 families and 20 liters of water per person on a daily basis. Asked to comment if assistance is restricted only to the humanitarian assistance and excluded the infrastructure domain, Dr. Al-Harthi affirmed that The Saudi Committee for the Relief of the Palestinian People did not ignore this side and in fact contributed, as far as possible to the establishing of 600 residential units and rehabilitation of destroyed wells. The Saudi Red Crescent has donated $1.1 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) assistance programs for Palestinians in the West Bank, an ICRC statement said. The deal was sealed during ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger's three-day visit to the Kingdom which ended late Wednesday, the statement added. The ICRC issued the following statement: " Jakob Kellenberger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), concluded a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During his three-day visit, he met Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, and Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz the Governor of Riyadh. He also held talks with the vice-chairman of the Shura Council and with officials from the Saudi Arabian Red Crescent Society. Mr Kellenberger's visit, his second to the Kingdom since 2003, was an opportunity to update Saudi authorities on the ICRC's humanitarian work notably in the Occupied Territories, Sudan and Iraq in the light of recent political developments and security challenges, and to discuss operational issues. During the visit, the Saudi government reaffirmed its strong support for the ICRC and for the organization's humanitarian activities worldwide. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the ICRC, on the one hand, and the Saudi Arabian Red Crescent and the Saudi Committee for the Relief of the Palestinian People, on the other. Under this agreement, the Saudi Arabian Red Crescent will donate 1.1 million US dollars to ICRC assistance programmes for Palestinians in the West Bank. Commenting on the positive outcome of this visit, the ICRC president was confident that it will further enhance cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He welcomed the constructive dialogue and the openness of the talks with Saudi officials, while stressing the ICRC's strong commitment to independent, neutral and impartial humanitarian action on behalf of people in conflict areas needing protection and assistance." Saudi Arabia and Iran signed a cooperation agreement in maritime transport field. The agreement was signed by Saudi Minister of Transport Dr. Jobarah Al-Suraisiri and Iranian Trade Minister Shariah Madari. The agreement is expected to boost sea trade between the two countries. The 7th session of the Joint Saudi-Iranian Commission concluded last night its two-day deliberations which were held under the co-chairmanship of Saudi Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hashem Yamani, and Iranian Minister of Commerce Mohammad Shariat-Madari. Yamani delivered a speech in which said that the minutes included a number of recommendations such as proposals to increase the volume of trade exchange, holding joint exhibitions and signing a number of treaties. He added that the signing of a treaty for marine transportation by Saudi Minister of Transportation Jubarah Al-Suraisiri and Shariat-Madari, has coincided with the works of this session. Yamani pointed out that the recommendations of this session will form a base for further fruitful cooperation. On his part, Shariat-Madari thanked Yamani and Al-Suraisiri for their cooperation and hailed the results of the meetings with both ministers. Meanwhile Prince Moqrin Ibn Abdul Aziz, Governor of Madinah Region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Madinah Research and Studies Center, chaired the 30th meeting of the board of directors of the center. The meeting discussed issues concerning the work and activities of the center. The secretary-general of the Muslim World League has called on Muslims to present Islamic solutions to the pressing problems of humanity. Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki also called for intensive efforts to inculcate Islam's moderate teachings and values in the minds of Muslim youth. "It's the duty of Muslims to explain to the world the Islamic solutions to human problems," Al-Turki said in a message on the occasion of the new Hijrah year, which began on Thursday. He said Islam, which is a universal religion, can solve the intricate problems of the modern world including drugs, poverty, insecurity and moral degradation. Muslims must abide by the true and moderate teachings of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in all walks of their life. "Islam urges its followers to take a moderate approach in all matters of life. It has prohibited all forms of extremism," he added. The MWL chief emphasized the need to strengthen Muslim unity and solidarity and enhance cooperation among Muslim governments and communities. Commenting on the Saudi Cabinet's recent approval of the Framework Agreement on Economic, Commercial, Investment and Technical Cooperation between the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council on one hand and the Peoples Republic of China on the other, Abdul Rahman Ibn Hamad Al Atiyyah, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, today lauded the continuous support rendered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and his government for the march of the GCC. In a statement, Al Atiyyah expressed gratitude for the strenuous efforts exerted by the Saudi leadership and other leaders of the member states of the GCC reflecting their keenness to support the joint action of the six-nation group. |
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