‘Saudis not looking for war’
It also expressed gratitude to the countries that took part in the humanitarian event. Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who chaired the meeting held at Seif palace, briefed the cabinet on the outcomes of the donors’ conference, March 31, to bolster humanitarian support to the Syrian people.
During the conference, HH the Amir assured the Syrian people of the international community support.
HH the Amir announced $500 million in pledge for the Syrian people to help ease their sufferings, urging the international community to seek an end to the tragedy.
Then, Sheikh Sabah AlKhaled, briefed the meeting on a phone call between US President Barack Obama and HH the Amir, as well as the call between US State Secretary John Kerry and his counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah added.
Kerry briefed the GCC foreign ministers on the deal recently concluded in Lausanne, Switzerland, between the world powers, P5+1, and Iran on Tehran’s nuclear program. The US chief diplomat reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to GCC security and stability.
In addition, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled notified the cabinet of the outcome of his meetings with counterparts from Norway and Luxembourg, Borge Brende and Jean Asselborn, who led their countries’ delegations to the donors’ conference on Syria, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah said.
Enhancing bilateral ties featured high on the agenda of the foreign ministers’ talks, besides the latest regional and international developments.
The Cabinet Affairs Minister said that the meeting was informed of the message His Highness the Amir received from Benin President Thomas Boni Yayi on boosting bilateral relations in all fields.
It was also notified of other two messages HH the Amir received from President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova on Kuwait’s leading humanitarian role and the generous donations made during the Syria pledging conference.
The cabinet was informed about two messages from HH the Amir to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad AlSabah appreciating the persistent and sincere efforts by the Premier and the ministers, as well as other state bodies and officials to secure success for the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria.
Meanwhile, the cabinet approved an amended draft decree on the civil service system, referring it to the His Highness the Amir.
The ministers discussed topics on the agenda of the National Assembly, and reports on the current Arab and international political developments. RIYADH, April 6, (KUNA): The Saudi cabinet on Monday commended the outcomes of the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria recently held in Kuwait.
This came during a routine cabinet meeting held today, which addressed other major regional and international issues.
The Kingdom has spared no effort to provide aid to Syrian refugees, the Cabinet said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) after its session chaired by King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Since 2011, the Kingdom has offered Syrian people aid worth USD 600 million, it added.
On Yemen, the cabinet stressed that the Fees move hailed: MP Talal Al-Jalal has lauded the decision of Education and Higher Education Minister Dr Bader Al-Essa prohibiting private schools from increasing their fees next school year, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
In a recent press statement, Al-Jalal pointed out this decision is a step in the right direction. He then stressed the need to strictly implement the decision, asserting that the unreasonable increase in school fees is an additional financial burden for citizens and expatriates. Reporter honored: The European-Arab Center for Human Rights and International Law has declared reporter Saad Mohamed Moat’esh Al-Anzi as Ambassador of Arab Journalism for 2015 in recognition of his leading role in defending human rights and promoting press freedom, reports Al-Anba daily.
The center made the announcement during its session in Oslo on Wednesday. Head of the center Consultant Dr Ehab Ja’af presided over the session. It has been reported Al-Anzi was chosen according to regulations on the international nomination of ambassadors and recommendations of the concerned international bodies. Kingdom is not calling for war, and that the Saudi-led coalition’s “Operation Decisive Storm” in Yemen aims at maintaining legitimacy, security, national unity, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
These are the reasons why the legitimacydefending coalition has been gaining wide Arab, Islamic and international support, it pointed out.
Referring to the recent deal between the world powers and Iran on Tehran’s nuclear program, the Cabinet hoped a final binding agreement would be concluded to enhance security, and stability in the region, and the world at large. ‘Toman’ rate dips: Contrary to the expected increase in the value of the Iranian currency - Toman - against the Kuwaiti dinar in light of the deal between the USA and Iran, the currency traders in unofficial markets in Kuwait failed to purchase the Iranian currency at the price speculated prior to the agreement, reports Al-Anba daily.
The daily toured the exchange market in Mubarakiya where the traders and directors of exchange centers revealed the Toman was being sold at a price 11 percent less than that of last week - before the announcement of the deal. They said one million Tomans were equivalent to KD109 last week but it went down to KD97 when the deal was announced. 4,500 passports issued: The Syrian Embassy in Kuwait issued more than 4,500 new passports to Syrian residents in the last two months, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources.
Sources said this is part of the efforts being exerted by Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy Ghassan Anjareeni to solve the problems of Syrians who are facing penalties because of the expiration of their passports. Sources confirmed Anjareeni listened to the complaints of Syrian residents, especially those facing penalties as much as thousands of Kuwaiti dinars. Sources added the embassy has many pending transactions as it was closed for some time, including the issuance of new passports or extension and authentication of documents among others.