Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet's Session

Riyadh, February 15, 2022, SPA -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session held at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh today. At the outset of the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the content of the recent calls received by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince from leaders of a number of countries, which reviewed relations and ways of supporting and strengthening them in all fields, in a manner that serves common interests and achieves security and stability both regionally and globally. The Cabinet in this regard commended the President of the United States of America for expressing the United States’ commitment to supporting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its defense of its lands and citizens and meeting Saudi Arabia’s defensive needs, which will increase joint efforts to preserve security and stability in the Kingdom and the region. The Cabinet affirmed that the Kingdom is committed to deescalating tensions in the region and supporting efforts by the United States to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and stressed the need to work together to counter the destabilizing activities of Iran’s proxies in the region. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi said that the Cabinet reviewed a number of issues and developments in various arenas. The Cabinet appreciated countries and regional and international organizations’ condemnation of the hostile attempt that targeted civilian travelers and workers at Abha International Airport, as the attempt is a violation of international law, war crime and continuation of the Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militia’s hostile approach, representing its refusal to comply with calls for peace. The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s keenness to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen according to the references of the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanisms, the outcomes of the comprehensive national dialogue conference and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216. The Cabinet stressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s endeavors to achieve security and development in Yemen and to continue providing humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people and rebuilding the country. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and issued the following decisions: First: Approving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's joining the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015. Second: Approving a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in the Sultanate of Oman in the field of communications, information technology and post. Third: Approving an agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the State of Qatar in the field of air freight services. Fourth: Approving a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence and the Information and e-Government Authority in the Kingdom of Bahrain regarding the activation of the health passport to verify that Saudi, Bahraini or resident passengers in either country through the King Fahd Causeway, and meet the health conditions imposed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Fifth: Amending Item (Fourth) of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology bylaw, issued under the Royal Decree No. (M/8) on 19/4/1406 Hijri, regarding the formation of the board of directors of the city. Sixth: Approving amendments to the lawyering bylaw issued under the Royal Decree No. (M/38) on 28/7/1422 Hijri, regarding the licensing to practice the lawyering profession and organizing the license for the foreign law firm to practice the profession in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Seventh: Approving the guideline of an agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries regarding mutual encouragement and protection of investments, and authorizing the Minister of Investment – or a deputy – to hold talks with any country that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia intends to sign a relevant agreement with, referring the final form of each draft agreement to proceed with formal procedures. Eighth: Approving amendments to Item (Sixth) of the Saudi Council of Engineers bylaw issued under a Royal Decree No. (M/36) on 26/9/1423 Hijri regarding the board of directors of the council. Ninth: Finance Minister shall issue the necessary licensing for the D360 Bank – under establishment – according to Item (Three) of the Bank Monitoring Bylaw issued under the Royal Decree No. (M/5) in 22/2/1386 Hijri. Tenth: The state shall continue to bear the visa fees for seasonal workforce for Project of Hady & Adahi for the 1443 Hijri Hajj season. Eleventh: Approving amendments to the King Abdulaziz Library bylaw, issued under a Cabinet decision No, (389) on 15/9/1437 Hijri regarding the formation of the board of trustees of the library, forming permanent or ad hoc committees and the appointment of a secretary general for the library. The Cabinet also reviewed several issues mentioned on its agenda and took necessary procedures regarding them. --SPA