King Salman praised his predecessor on his accomplishments. (Courtesy of SPA)

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired on Monday his first Cabinet meeting since acceding to the throne last week.

At the beginning of the session, a day after ministers swore allegiance to the king, King Salman “expressed his pain and Saudi people and Islamic and Arab nations over the death of … King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.

King Salman praised his predecessor on his accomplishments including “the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques, the reconstruction of mosques, the dissemination of the Holy Quran, the blessed efforts in the service of Islam, the glory of Muslims, and the prominent role in support for the issues of the right and justice at regional, Arab and international arenas.”

“We and the whole world have lost a unique leader who dedicated his life to achieve overall prosperity for his country and its people, building of edifices of science, economics and knowledge, the achievement of the right and the support for the oppressed, as well as brave and effective contribution to the consolidation of peace, security and stability throughout the world,” he said.

King Salman said the kingdom would not steer from the approach established by the country’s founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, and by his sons of late kings in abiding to Islam and “the Prophetic Sunnah and realizing its enormous responsibilities as the land of revelation, the launch of the message, the cradle of Arabism, and one of the most influential countries at various levels.”

Dr. Adel bin Zaid Altoraifi, the kingdom’s new information and culture minister, was quoted by SPA as saying that King Salman had stressed “that the orientations and policies of the Kingdom at Arab, Islamic and international arenas are the continuous and constant approach.”

Altoraifi said the king had directed the ministers to intensify their efforts and “put the interests of the nation and its citizens in the forefront of their priorities and to continue to work toward their greater aspirations.”

The Saudi king also briefed the Cabinet on the outcome of his talks with U.S. President Barack Obama, “which dealt with bilateral relations … and their continuation to be strengthened and developed in all fields,” the minister said.

Last week, Obama paid a visit to Riyadh at the head of a large U.S. delegation to show support to the kingdom following the death of King Abdullah.

New ministers in the Saudi Cabinet led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman pose for a group photo in Riyadh. King Salman chaired his first Cabinet meeting on Monday. (SPA)

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