Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, chairs the weekly Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Council of Ministers on Monday slammed Israel’s plans to Judaize the Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying it was a flagrant violation of international law.

Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, chaired the meeting in Riyadh.

The Cabinet said the Arab League had warned of the dangers of the Israeli plans, which it stated would undermine regional and global peace and security, said Minister of Information and Culture Abdul Aziz Khoja at a press briefing after the meeting.

The ministers also highlighted the statement from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, and their condemnation of Israel’s continued violations of Al-Aqsa Mosque and attacks on worshippers, said Khoja.

The OIC member countries reaffirmed the Islamic, Arab and Palestinian identity of the region, and called on the international community to take steps to end Israel’s occupation, he said.

Khoja said the government also approved the licenses of 17 sports clubs across the country including in Madinah, the Eastern Province, Riyadh, Asir, Tabuk, Jouf, Qasim, Hail, Jazan, Najran and Baha.

At the start of the meeting, the crown prince briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, stressing the close relations between the two countries. Prince Salman also spoke about his talks with Gen. John R. Allen, the coordinator of the international coalition against the Islamic State terrorist organization, said Khoja.

Khoja said that the Council of Ministers was briefed on a series of reports on developments in the region and the world, notably in some Arab countries.

He said the continuation of the crises in these countries would destabilize the region and lead to more bloodshed and disunity.

The Council of Ministers condemned the terrorist acts in Sinai, Egypt, and extended condolences to the families of the victims, Egyptian government and its people, he said.

Khoja said the Cabinet approved a series of decisions including authorizing the minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs to hold talks with the Spanish government on finalyzing agreements on road projects.

The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Higher Education to hold talks with the Romanian government on a memorandum of understanding related to scientific and educational cooperation.

Based on a report submitted by the minister of transport, the Cabinet approved amendments made by the International Marine Organization to the international convention for the safety of containers (1972).

Based on a report submitted by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the Council of Ministers approved a memorandum of cooperation with Morocco related to safety and quality of land and sea animal products, animal fodder, and veterinary medicines. The initial agreement was signed in Riyadh last year.

The two parties had agreed to cooperate to protect consumers from microbial, physical or chemical contamination of animal, sea products and animal feed.

 
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