Cabinet praises HM King's directive to honour Prince Saud Al-Faisal

Manama, Feb. 29 (BNA): The Bahrain Cabinet has praised the decision to name a main avenue in the Kingdom after the late HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal, following a directive from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The avenue was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, on Sunday. Chairing the regular weekly Cabinet meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, HRH the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the support given to Bahrain by Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. In a statement, following its meeting at the Gudaibiya Palace, the Cabinet expressed its gratitude and appreciation for the late HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal’s support for Bahrain at international gatherings. HRH the Prime Minister then praised the keynote speech, delivered by His Majesty the King, while honouring members of the media for their work in highlighting the milestone achievements of His Majesty the King’s reign. The role of the media in serving national interests and countering external threats to the nation, by enlightening public opinion and enhancing national awareness, was also praised by HRH the Prime Minister. While commenting on his patronage of the ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the new building of Al-Ahilia University, HRH the Prime Minister highlighted the role played by private universities in enhancing education in the country. He confirmed the government's support for public and private universities and other academic institutions, and underlined its commitment to work with them to improve Bahrain’s education system for the benefit of the students and the nation. On housing, HRH the Prime Minister directed the Housing Ministry to speed up the distribution of 832 units in the Damistan Housing Project. HRH the Prime Minister also called for a study on the possibility of giving oversight of the Jannusan social housing project to the Housing Ministry. On environmental issues, HRH the Prime Minister stressed the need to preserve Bahrain’s open areas and green spaces for the benefit all citizens. He also gave instructions to rationalise energy consumption in government buildings, ensure optimal use and increase energy efficiency to control costs. The Cabinet gave the go-ahead to increase the number of lanes on Crown Prince Avenue, from the Riffa Roundabout to the Hamad Town Roundabout. It also issued instructions to transfer the Clock Tower to another site to smooth the flow of traffic. On education, the Cabinet approved a memorandum related to the National Authority of Qualifications and Quality Assurance for Education and Training. The memorandum includes the results of the 21st and 22nd performance audit of public and private schools and training institutions and a review of university courses. The Cabinet gave approval for the Union of French Citizens Abroad to be registered in the Kingdom and to open a branch in Bahrain. It also reviewed two memorandums related to air services agreements between the Governments of Bahrain, the Czech Republic, and between the Governments of Bahrain and Georgia. The Cabinet referred the memorandums to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The Cabinet also - · Discussed a draft law amending provisions of the Political Societies Law 26/2005 following a proposal submitted by the Shura Council. The Cabinet referred a memorandum, prepared by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs and presented by the Deputy Premier, back to the committee for further study. · Considered a draft law on amending provisions of the Future Generations Fund, proposed by the Council of Representatives. It reviewed the government's reply and referred the draft law to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. · Discussed a proposal, submitted by the Council of Representatives, on expanding the streets near Souq Waqif, and approved the government's reply, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.