The Saudi cabinet reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s condemnation of Iran’s attacks against bases housing US forces in Iraq.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.
The ministers stressed that Saudi Arabia “stands by Iraq against all challenges that threaten its security, stability and Arab identity.”
They renewed Saudi Arabia’s call on the international community to exert efforts to force Iran to commit to respecting the sovereignty of the countries in the Middle East. Tehran must also respect international laws and treaties and cease destabilizing the region.
Iran last week fired missiles against two Iraqi bases housing US forces that are part of the anti-ISIS coalition. The attack was in retaliation of Washington’s killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in an air strike in Baghdad on January 3.
The Saudi cabinet also underscored Saudi Arabia’s strong condemnation of the bombing that targeted a mosque in southwestern Pakistan. It slammed the targeting of a place of worship, offering its condolences to the people and government of Pakistan.
King Salman briefed the ministers on the telephone discussions he held with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. He also briefed them on the discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who paid an official visit to the Kingdom on Sunday, and the message he received on Sunday from Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The cabinet offered its condolences to the people and ruling family of Oman after the passing of Sultan Qaboos bin Said last week. It also congratulated Haitham bin Tariq on succeeding the late ruler, wishing him success in preserving and developing Oman’s prosperity.
In remarks to the Saudi Press Agency, Media Minister Turki al-Shabanah said the cabinet welcomed the launch of the 2020 International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC) that is being held in Dhahran. The event was inaugurated by the minister of energy on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
Shabanah said that the Aramco-hosted conference is in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
IPTC is a collaborative effort among the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).
Regional energy ministers, industry leaders, and governmental representatives will have an opportunity to discuss and share their views on timely industry topics and trends, exchange expertise and experience, present state-of-the-art technology and innovation, and to stimulate further research of technical and business activities. The event concludes on Wednesday.
