The Saudi cabinet reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s constant support and “vital partnership” with the United Nations in combating terrorism and extremism.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held via video-conference due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Saudi Arabia’s efforts in combating terrorism have led to the establishment of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center in 2017. The cabinet underscored Riyadh’s pioneering role in this regard and encouragement of UN members to back countries and their strategies in fighting terrorism.
On the coronavirus pandemic, the ministers reviewed the latest local and international developments related to the outbreak. They stressed that all citizens and residents are receiving the highest medical care. They also hailed the efforts to diagnose cases, saying they are being detected at three times the global rate.
On preparations to hold the Hajj pilgrimage, the ministers reviewed the government’s security and services plans, which are being arranged to ensure that pilgrims perform the holy rituals safely and amid necessary health precautions amid the pandemic. The preparations are in line with the orders of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to hold the Hajj in secure conditions given the extraordinary circumstances.
The cabinet also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s keenness in supporting the World Trade Organization in its capacity as G20 president for 2020. It stressed the WTO’s important role in pushing forward economic growth and achieving sustainable development in wake of the major changes taking place in the global trade system.
The cabinet also condemned the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen for their firing of ballistic missiles and booby-trapped drones at the Kingdom earlier this week. It slammed the failed terrorist attack that was deliberately aimed at civilians and underlined the competence of the Arab coalition joint forces in confronting such barbaric acts.