Cabinet hails HM King's meetings with Arab leaders

Manama, Mar. 21 (BNA): The Cabinet highlighted today, the importance of visits by senior officials, from friendly countries, and their role in strengthening Arab solidarity and intensifying efforts to prevent foreign interference in internal Arab affairs. At its weekly meeting, at the Gudaibiya Palace, the Cabinet praised the meeting, held in Manama yesterday, between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, as well as HM the King's recent meeting with the Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Ministers stressed the importance of the meetings, in enhancing cooperation and coordination on issues of common interest, in the context of the situation in the region. The Cabinet meeting was chaired by His Royal Highness the Prime, Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. It was also attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. Ministers expressed their condolences to the UAE's leadership over the FlyDubai crash, near Rostov-on-Don airport, in southern Russia, that killed everyone on board. The Cabinet also extended its condolences to the leadership and people of Russia following the tragic accident, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser said in a statement, issued after the Cabinet meeting. HRH the Prime Minister reviewed the progress of the central markets’ development projects, and directed the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to re-open the Nuweidrat Central Market as soon as possible. He also asked the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister to visit Nuweidrat and follow up personally on the situation. HRH the Prime Minister also issued instructions to link the new residential neighbourhoods of Bu Quwa, Jablet Habshi and North Sehla to the sewage network, and directed the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to prepare the studies and technical designs. The Cabinet then welcomed the decision to award the Kingdom the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND)'s prize for Pioneering Human Development Projects for Marketing of home-made products. Ministers reviewed actions taken to relocate workshops and garages from residential areas to industrial zones. HRH the Prime Minister directed sites should be established for workshops and garages, away from residential areas. The Cabinet designated the National Committee for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons to monitor the kingdom's commitments to treaties on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their transportation, until an independent commission is established. The agreement, signed between Bahrain and India, on the transfer of prisoners was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs for ratification. The Cabinet also discussed two proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives on the work conditions of Bahrain mariners, and on the establishment of an infertility centre in the Kingdom.