Ain-Al-Yaqeen - February 3, 2006

		February 3, 2006

AT THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS WEEKLY SESSION:
THE VICE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES CONGRATULATES ON BEHALF OF THE SAUDI LEADERSHIP, THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE PEOPLE, THE ARAB AND MUSLIM NATIONS ON THE ADVENT OF THE NEW HIJRI YEAR.
THE CABINET EXPRESSES ITS SATISFACTION OVER THE RESULTS OF KING ABDULLAH'S VISITS TO CHINA AND INDIA.
PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ CONGRATULATES THE AMIR OF KUWAIT SHEIKH SABAH AL-AHMAD AL-SABAH.

The Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz chaired the cabinet's weekly session at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh.

At the outset of the session, in his own name and on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Saudi government, and people, Prince Sultan congratulated Arab and Muslim nations on the advent of the new Hijri year, praying to Almighty Allah that Arab, Muslim, and other countries enjoy peace and stability and that the world will seriously work towards ensuring security and friendliness among peoples.

On the King's current tour, the Cabinet expressed its full satisfaction over the outcomes of the visits paid by the Monarch to China and India. The outcomes stressed deep relations between the Kingdom and the two countries, enhancement of cooperation, partnership, and work for the interest of peace and stability in the region and the world.

The Cabinet wished that the King's visit to Malaysia today will be crowned with all success for the interests of the two countries, their brotherly peoples, and Arab and Muslim nations.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, the Minister of Social Affairs and Acting Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Mohsin Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-A'kkas said that the Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques appreciated the positive results of these visits which will benefit Kingdom and these countries in enhancing and deepening relations and friendship; will affirm commitment to the ideals of tolerance, understanding and diversity among societies; and will support the expansion of economic exchange and diversification of trade and joint investment.

The Minister noted that the Cabinet congratulated Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on assuming power in his country following the pledge of allegiance as Emir and the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday.

The Cabinet wished all success for the Kuwaiti Emir to achieve the aspirations of the Kuwaiti people and to work with the leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) states for the interest of the GCC, Arab and Muslim nations and the world.

The Cabinet commended Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (May Allah bless his soul) for his great achievements for his country and nation.

On the Palestinian affairs, the Cabinet congratulated Palestine's President Mahmoud Abbas on the success of the Palestinian legislative elections, calling on the world community to respect and appreciate the desire of the Palestinian people for self-determination and the exercise of their options.

The Cabinet looks forward to an international favorable response to these developments and to placing pressure on Israel to proceed on the track of a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

Al-A'akkas said the Cabinet then reviewed the local items on its agenda and issued the following decisions:

The Minister of Social Affairs or his deputy was authorized to discuss with the Yemeni side a draft memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of social affairs between the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor of the Republic of Yemen, sign the final version and forward it for further authentication.

The Cabinet instructed the formation of a tripartite committee from the Ministries of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Finance, and Youth Welfare to supervise the investment of parts of the lands owned by the state for the benefit of sports clubs in the Kingdom.

The Minister of Finance or his deputy was authorized to complete discussions with the Italian side on a draft agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Italy in the field of income taxation and capital taxation and in the field of prevention of tax evasion and the annexed draft protocol, sign their final versions and forward them for further authentication.

The Cabinet exempted Saudi fishing boats working on high seas from port fees if any of them happened to anchor at a Saudi commercial port.

The Cabinet approved the appointment of Eng. Abdullah Ibn Mohammed Ibn Ali Al-Oboodi as Director General of Water Department for Riyadh Region at the Ministry of Water and Electricity, and the appointment of Prince Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz Ibn Mohammed Ibn Ayyaf Al Miqren as Director General for Administrative and Financial Affairs at the same ministry.

On the other hand Crown Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, returned to Riyadh following a brief visit to Kuwait during which he congratulated Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on assuming power as Emir of the State of Kuwait.

Crown Prince Sultan arrived in Kuwait and was received at Kuwait International Airport by Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, First Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense; Mohammed Daifallah Sharar, Deputy Premier and Minister of State for Ummah (Nation) Assembly Affairs; Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Minister of Transportation and Health; Sheikh Ahmed Fahd Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Minister of Energy; and a number of officials.

At Bayan palace, Crown Prince Sultan was received by Sheikh Sabah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait. On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Sultan extended sincere fraternal felicitations to Sheikh Sabah on assuming power as Emir of the State of Kuwait, wishing him every success and the government and people of Kuwait steady progress and prosperity under his wise leadership.

Crown Prince Sultan also lauded the fraternal and distinguished ties binding the two countries and peoples, appreciating the positions of the State of Kuwait in support of the GCC march and in service of Arab and Islamic causes.

Crown Prince Sultan was accompanied by a number of princes. On arrival in Riyadh, he was received by Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, a number of princes and senior civil and military officials.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah took oath as Kuwait's 15th Amir.

"I swear by Almighty Allah to respect the Constitution and laws of the State, to defend the liberties, interests, and properties of the people and to safeguard the independence and territorial integrity of the country," he said.

Article 60 of the constitution states that before assuming his powers, the Amir shall take the constitutional oath at a special sitting of the National Assembly.

The Kuwaiti Cabinet had held an extraordinary meeting at the National Assembly building, following the special parliamentary session allocated for pledging allegiance to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as Amir of Kuwait, based on his nomination by the Cabinet and in accordance with the constitution and the law for the succession of leadership.

The Cabinet said in a statement that members reviewed the National Assembly's unanimous pledge of allegiance to Sheikh Sabah as Amir of Kuwait.

It added that in line with the constitution and law number four of the year 1964 on the law for the succession of leadership in the Emirate, the Cabinet named Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as Kuwait's Amir, and thus follow in the footsteps of the late Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

It said that achievements of Sheikh Jaber and Sheikh Saad would bear witness to their efforts and sacrifices for Kuwait and its people, and would always be appreciated by the Kuwaiti people.

The Cabinet congratulated Sheikh Sabah on the trust bestowed upon him in the form of the unanimous pledge of allegiance, saying that this was proof of an awareness of democracy.

It also congratulated the loyal Kuwaiti people on the leadership of Sheikh Sabah and his bearing of national responsibility, noting his sacrifices and services for the country and its people.

The Cabinet highlighted the keenness of Sheikh Sabah on following in the footsteps of his forbearers, and for the consolidation of efforts to push forth the country's development in the interest of all.

It said that this would ensure that Kuwait remain a haven of security for all those living on its land, and wished Sheikh Sabah success.

Meantime the constitutional procedures implemented in the special National Assembly session reflect the unity of the Kuwaiti people and their support for their leadership, said National Assembly Speaker Jasem Al-Kharafi.

Speaking to reporters following the two special parliamentary sessions, Al-Kharafi said, "Through the constitution and its procedures, and with the unity of the people and the wisdom of the ruling family, we were able to pass this critical stage." The National Assembly had held two special sessions, the first for pledging allegiance to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and the second for him to take the constitutional oath.

The speaker addressed the media and said, "You saw for yourselves today the love and appreciation ... and how the procedures were followed smoothly and with no complications." He added that the smooth procedures "showed that Kuwait, its people, and leadership are well as long as this bond and unity prevailed." Al-Kharafi wished the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah success. Sheikh Sabah is the country's 15th Amir.

Asked about priorities of the new government, the speaker said, "I do now know what government priorities are," but hoped that it would present a clear agenda to the parliament "through which the government may operate."