Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Congratulates Sri Lanka's President On National Day

?The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has sent a cable of congratulations to President Mahinda Rajapaksa of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on the anniversary of his country's National Day.

In his cable, the King wished the President constant good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity.

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Crown Prince Congratulates New Zealand's Governor General on National Day

?Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, has sent a cable of congratulations to Governor General Jeremiah Mateparae of New Zealand on the anniversary of his country's National Day.

In his cable, the Crown Prince wished the Governor General constant good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity.

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Crown Prince Chairs Cabinet Session

?Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday afternoon.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohiuddin Khoja said the cabinet discussed several reports on local affairs and developments of regional and international situations.

The cabinet expressed appreciation and pride for the programs celebrating Madinah as the capital of Islamic culture for the year 1434 AH / 2013 G. The programs were patronized by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. They included comprehensive activities which are worthy of the city of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his migration place - which beamed the light of Islam, which has covered the globe with its tolerance. The activities also reflect the spirit of this great city and hint at its great contribution to Islamic sciences.

The cabinet welcomed the results of the eighth Islamic Conference of the Ministers of Culture of the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, with which the celebration activities were concluded including the decisions serving the Islamic cultural action particularly the adoption of the draft operational plan of the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for dialogue among the followers of religions and cultures (Achievements and Future Prospects).

The Minister of Culture and Information said the cabinet was briefed on the contents of the Second Geneva Conference on the Syrian crisis at its opening session which was held in the city of Montreux, Switzerland, on Wednesday, reiterating the Kingdom's call for applying what is stated in the First Geneva Conference on the formation of a Syrian transitional government which has no place for the Syrian regime and its symbols, and enabling the Syrians to carry out their responsibilities away from external interferences to achieve self-determination and preserve the sovereignty, independence and unity of Syria.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's strong condemnation of terrorist cowardly bombings witnessed by the Arab Republic of Egypt which claimed many innocent lives aiming to destabilize the security and stability of Egypt, stressing its full confidence in the ability of the Egyptian government and its brotherly people to strike terrorism and put an end to these criminal acts which have no relation whatsoever with Islam .

The Cabinet commended the national consensus crowned by the Yemeni National Dialogue Conference, congratulating Yemen's government and people on this historic achievement, and wishing Yemen's stability, security and continued growth.

The Minister of Culture and Information said the Cabinet was briefed on a number of topics and the outcome of the Bureau of Experts of the Council of Ministers and the Council's General Committee and its Subcommittee and took the following decisions:

First:

The Cabinet authorized the Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense or his deputy to sign a draft agreement on cooperation in the field of defense between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ukrainian government, and then submit the final signed version to complete the statutory procedures.

Second:

The Cabinet approved the authorization of President of Board of Directors of King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (KAFRA) or his deputy to sign a draft memorandum of cooperation between KAFRA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwaiti Center for Research and Studies in the State of Kuwait in the light of the draft approved by the Cabinet, before submitting the final signed version for the completion of statutory procedures.

Third:

The Cabinet approved the authorization of President of Youth Welfare or his deputy to discuss with the Kyrgyz side a draft cooperation agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Kyrgyzstan Republic in the field of youth and sports and sign it in the light of the draft approved by the Cabinet, before submitting the final signed version for the completion of statutory procedures.

Fourth:

The Cabinet approved the adoption of the final account of the Saudi Fund for Development for the fiscal year 1432/1433 AH corresponding to 2011/2012.

Fifth:

The Cabinet approved appointments as follows:

1- Nasser bin Ali bin Abdulrahman Al-Houti as ambassador at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2- Naif bin Dawoud bin Suleiman Al-Rashid as Minister Plenipotentiary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3- Sultan bin Shakhbout bin Sultan Al Sultan as the Governorate's Assistant Undersecretary for Security Affairs at Tabuk region Governorate (rank 14th).

4- Fahd bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Huthaili as Assistant Undersecretary for Consumer Affairs at Ministry of Commerce and Industry (rank 14th).

5- Ahmad bin Saad bin Mohammed Al-Nassar as Director General of Reports Office at General Auditing Bureau (rank 14th).

The Cabinet was briefed on two annual reports of Control and Investigation Board and General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque for two former fiscal years and issued its directives towards them.

The Cabinet's General Secretariat will submit the Cabinet's decisions to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his directives in this regard.?

View the original article here

Crown Prince Congratulates Sri Lanka's President On National Day

Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, has sent a cable of congratulations to President Mahinda Rajapaksa of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on the anniversary of his country's National Day.

In his cable, the Crown Prince wished the President constant good health and happiness and his people steady progress and prosperity.

View the original article here

Crown Prince Chairs Cabinet Session

?Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday afternoon.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohiuddin Khoja said the cabinet discussed several reports on local affairs and developments of regional and international situations.

The cabinet expressed appreciation and pride for the programs celebrating Madinah as the capital of Islamic culture for the year 1434 AH / 2013 G. The programs were patronized by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. They included comprehensive activities which are worthy of the city of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his migration place - which beamed the light of Islam, which has covered the globe with its tolerance. The activities also reflect the spirit of this great city and hint at its great contribution to Islamic sciences.

The cabinet welcomed the results of the eighth Islamic Conference of the Ministers of Culture of the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, with which the celebration activities were concluded including the decisions serving the Islamic cultural action particularly the adoption of the draft operational plan of the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for dialogue among the followers of religions and cultures (Achievements and Future Prospects).

The Minister of Culture and Information said the cabinet was briefed on the contents of the Second Geneva Conference on the Syrian crisis at its opening session which was held in the city of Montreux, Switzerland, on Wednesday, reiterating the Kingdom's call for applying what is stated in the First Geneva Conference on the formation of a Syrian transitional government which has no place for the Syrian regime and its symbols, and enabling the Syrians to carry out their responsibilities away from external interferences to achieve self-determination and preserve the sovereignty, independence and unity of Syria.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's strong condemnation of terrorist cowardly bombings witnessed by the Arab Republic of Egypt which claimed many innocent lives aiming to destabilize the security and stability of Egypt, stressing its full confidence in the ability of the Egyptian government and its brotherly people to strike terrorism and put an end to these criminal acts which have no relation whatsoever with Islam .

The Cabinet commended the national consensus crowned by the Yemeni National Dialogue Conference, congratulating Yemen's government and people on this historic achievement, and wishing Yemen's stability, security and continued growth.

The Minister of Culture and Information said the Cabinet was briefed on a number of topics and the outcome of the Bureau of Experts of the Council of Ministers and the Council's General Committee and its Subcommittee and took the following decisions:

First:

The Cabinet authorized the Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense or his deputy to sign a draft agreement on cooperation in the field of defense between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ukrainian government, and then submit the final signed version to complete the statutory procedures.

Second:

The Cabinet approved the authorization of President of Board of Directors of King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (KAFRA) or his deputy to sign a draft memorandum of cooperation between KAFRA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwaiti Center for Research and Studies in the State of Kuwait in the light of the draft approved by the Cabinet, before submitting the final signed version for the completion of statutory procedures.

Third:

The Cabinet approved the authorization of President of Youth Welfare or his deputy to discuss with the Kyrgyz side a draft cooperation agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Kyrgyzstan Republic in the field of youth and sports and sign it in the light of the draft approved by the Cabinet, before submitting the final signed version for the completion of statutory procedures.

Fourth:

The Cabinet approved the adoption of the final account of the Saudi Fund for Development for the fiscal year 1432/1433 AH corresponding to 2011/2012.

Fifth:

The Cabinet approved appointments as follows:

1- Nasser bin Ali bin Abdulrahman Al-Houti as ambassador at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2- Naif bin Dawoud bin Suleiman Al-Rashid as Minister Plenipotentiary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3- Sultan bin Shakhbout bin Sultan Al Sultan as the Governorate's Assistant Undersecretary for Security Affairs at Tabuk region Governorate (rank 14th).

4- Fahd bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Huthaili as Assistant Undersecretary for Consumer Affairs at Ministry of Commerce and Industry (rank 14th).

5- Ahmad bin Saad bin Mohammed Al-Nassar as Director General of Reports Office at General Auditing Bureau (rank 14th).

The Cabinet was briefed on two annual reports of Control and Investigation Board and General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque for two former fiscal years and issued its directives towards them.

The Cabinet's General Secretariat will submit the Cabinet's decisions to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his directives in this regard.?

View the original article here

Crown Prince Chairs Cabinet Session

?Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday afternoon.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohiuddin Khoja said the cabinet discussed several reports on local affairs and developments of regional and international situations.

The cabinet expressed appreciation and pride for the programs celebrating Madinah as the capital of Islamic culture for the year 1434 AH / 2013 G. The programs were patronized by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and inaugurated by Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. They included comprehensive activities which are worthy of the city of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his migration place - which beamed the light of Islam, which has covered the globe with its tolerance. The activities also reflect the spirit of this great city and hint at its great contribution to Islamic sciences.

The cabinet welcomed the results of the eighth Islamic Conference of the Ministers of Culture of the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, with which the celebration activities were concluded including the decisions serving the Islamic cultural action particularly the adoption of the draft operational plan of the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for dialogue among the followers of religions and cultures (Achievements and Future Prospects).

The Minister of Culture and Information said the cabinet was briefed on the contents of the Second Geneva Conference on the Syrian crisis at its opening session which was held in the city of Montreux, Switzerland, on Wednesday, reiterating the Kingdom's call for applying what is stated in the First Geneva Conference on the formation of a Syrian transitional government which has no place for the Syrian regime and its symbols, and enabling the Syrians to carry out their responsibilities away from external interferences to achieve self-determination and preserve the sovereignty, independence and unity of Syria.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's strong condemnation of terrorist cowardly bombings witnessed by the Arab Republic of Egypt which claimed many innocent lives aiming to destabilize the security and stability of Egypt, stressing its full confidence in the ability of the Egyptian government and its brotherly people to strike terrorism and put an end to these criminal acts which have no relation whatsoever with Islam .

The Cabinet commended the national consensus crowned by the Yemeni National Dialogue Conference, congratulating Yemen's government and people on this historic achievement, and wishing Yemen's stability, security and continued growth.

The Minister of Culture and Information said the Cabinet was briefed on a number of topics and the outcome of the Bureau of Experts of the Council of Ministers and the Council's General Committee and its Subcommittee and took the following decisions:

First:

The Cabinet authorized the Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense or his deputy to sign a draft agreement on cooperation in the field of defense between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ukrainian government, and then submit the final signed version to complete the statutory procedures.

Second:

The Cabinet approved the authorization of President of Board of Directors of King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (KAFRA) or his deputy to sign a draft memorandum of cooperation between KAFRA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwaiti Center for Research and Studies in the State of Kuwait in the light of the draft approved by the Cabinet, before submitting the final signed version for the completion of statutory procedures.

Third:

The Cabinet approved the authorization of President of Youth Welfare or his deputy to discuss with the Kyrgyz side a draft cooperation agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Kyrgyzstan Republic in the field of youth and sports and sign it in the light of the draft approved by the Cabinet, before submitting the final signed version for the completion of statutory procedures.

Fourth:

The Cabinet approved the adoption of the final account of the Saudi Fund for Development for the fiscal year 1432/1433 AH corresponding to 2011/2012.

Fifth:

The Cabinet approved appointments as follows:

1- Nasser bin Ali bin Abdulrahman Al-Houti as ambassador at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2- Naif bin Dawoud bin Suleiman Al-Rashid as Minister Plenipotentiary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3- Sultan bin Shakhbout bin Sultan Al Sultan as the Governorate's Assistant Undersecretary for Security Affairs at Tabuk region Governorate (rank 14th).

4- Fahd bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Huthaili as Assistant Undersecretary for Consumer Affairs at Ministry of Commerce and Industry (rank 14th).

5- Ahmad bin Saad bin Mohammed Al-Nassar as Director General of Reports Office at General Auditing Bureau (rank 14th).

The Cabinet was briefed on two annual reports of Control and Investigation Board and General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque for two former fiscal years and issued its directives towards them.

The Cabinet's General Secretariat will submit the Cabinet's decisions to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his directives in this regard.?

View the original article here

Crown Prince Holds Meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister

?????Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, held at his palace in Riyadh today a meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Hazem Al-Beblawi of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

During the meeting, they discussed relations of cooperation between the two brotherly countries, ways of enhancing them in all fields, the latest developments at regional and international arenas, and the positions of the two countries towards them.

The meeting was attended Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Chief of Crown Prince's Court and Special Advisor; Minister of State and Cabinet's Member Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban; Minister of Labor Engineer Adel bin Mohammed Faqih; and Saudi Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Qattan.

On the Egyptian side, the meeting was attended by Minister of Transport Ibrahim Al-Demeiri; Minister of Investment Osama Saleh, Minister of Planning Ashraf Al-Arabi; Minister of Housing Engineer Ibrahim Mahlab; Minister of Petroleum Engineer Sharif Ismail; Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Ambassador Nasser Kamel; and Egyptian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Afifi Abdulwahab.

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