Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet's Session

Riyadh, January 7, 2020, SPA -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session held at Al-Yamamah Palace here today. At the outset of the session, the King briefed the Cabinet on the content of the two telephone calls with President Mahamadou Issoufou of the Republic of Niger and President Dr. Barham Salih of the Republic of Iraq, citing reviewing developments in the region, affirming the Kingdom's position and its combating of terrorist acts and ensuring the security and stability of countries and peoples. The King also briefed the Cabinet on the content of the message sent to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the results of his meeting with Foreign Ministers of Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and his commending of founding and signing the Charter of the Council of Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Cabinet stressed the importance of the Council's role in enhancing ways of cooperation in political, economic and security fields between those countries, and seeking to achieve their common interests and enhancing security and stability at the regional and international levels, due to the importance that the waterway represents to international trade and communication between civilizations and cultures. The Minister of Media, Turki bin Abdullah Al-Shabanah, pointed out in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency after the session, that the Cabinet considered awarding the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques the "Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Necklace, First Class" by the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization in appreciation of his humanitarian diplomatic efforts, as an embodiment of regional and international contributions and efforts by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the King's leadership, in the fields of development and humanitarian and relief works for those affected by crises and disasters, and a recognition of the Kingdom's leading and prominent role in the list of donor countries, as it became a unique model in humanitarian aid. The Cabinet commended the care and attention for building and renovating mosques by the leadership, praising in this context what was accomplished by 'Mohammed bin Salman Project for Historic Mosques Renovation', including development and rehabilitation of 30 historic mosques in the first phase of the project in 10 regions, upon the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, to develop and rehabilitate 130 historic mosques in various regions of the Kingdom at several stages, for their great position in Islam and the historical, cultural and social depth they represent, in addition to preserving and rehabilitating historic mosques for worshiping. The Minister of Media stated that the Cabinet reviewed reports on latest developments in regional and international arenas, reiterating the importance of the Kingdom's call for working to achieve the region's security and stability, and stave off all that might lead to a worsening of the situation as a result of the escalation of tensions and terrorist acts that the Kingdom warned of their repercussions. The Cabinet pointed in this regard to current events in Iraq, and the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities to take necessary measures to ensure the security and stability of the region. The Cabinet confirmed what the Kingdom expressed of its rejection and condemnation of the military escalation and Turkish interference in the Libyan issue, which constitutes a violation of international principles and covenants, and Security Council resolutions issued on Libya. It is also considered as a contrary to the Arab position adopted by the League of Arab States last December, undermines international efforts aimed at resolving the Libyan crisis; and constitutes a threat to Libyan, Arab and regional security. --SPA