Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman holds talks with newly appointed ambassadors to Morocco, Mauritania and South Korea at Al-Yamamah Palace on Monday. (SPA)

The Council of Ministers has congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on the first anniversary of his reign and for overseeing significant developments in the region and on the global stage, including the fight against terrorism and tough action against Iran’s expansionism.

At the outset of the Cabinet meeting, King Salman, who chaired the gathering at Al-Yamamah Palace here on Monday, briefed the ministers on his meetings with the Tunisian, Turkish, Palestinian and Tajikistani presidents, and phone calls with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Egyptian president and the Jordanian king.

The Cabinet lauded the address of the king during the inauguration of the fourth year of the Shoura Council, which included plans for the country’s political, economic and security development, and initiatives to serve Haj and Umrah pilgrims.

The Cabinet said the government under the king continued to focus on sectors that would improve the standard of living for citizens including health, education, housing, employment and transport.

In addition, the government was committed to international covenants and defending Islamic and Arab issues aimed at fighting terrorism and achieving security and stability in the world, the ministers said.

The Cabinet further welcomed the king’s directive to the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, following the approval of the state’s 2016 budget, for a comprehensive economic, financial and structural reform program, focused on savings but completing projects approved previously.

The Cabinet also thanked Arab, Muslim and friendly countries, as well as international organizations, parliaments and other bodies, for supporting measures to track down and prosecute terrorists.

The Cabinet condemned the burning and looting of the Kingdom’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad and accused Iran of fomenting and aiding the attacks, which they said represented a flagrant violation of all international conventions and charters.

It welcomed the position of the GCC Foreign Ministers, who condemned the attacks and for holding the Iranian authorities fully responsible for the violations of the Vienna Conventions and international law.

The Cabinet thanked nations who supported the Kingdom in its decision, and the Arab League, which had described Iran’s actions as a serious threat to regional and international security and peace.

The Cabinet approved the name change of the Institute of Diplomatic Studies to Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies.

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