Iran condemned for undermining efforts to fight coronavirus

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned Iran on Tuesday for facilitating the entry of Saudi citizens into its territories without stamping their passports amid the global outbreak of the new coronavirus.

The Cabinet, chaired by King Salman, slammed Tehran for undermining international efforts to combat the virus and said that Iran was responsible for the spread of the virus.
The ministers also reviewed government efforts in preventing the spread of the virus.
The Cabinet highlighted the World Health Organization’s (WHO) praising of Saudi Arabia’s efforts in protecting public health. It lauded King Salman for meeting the WHO’s call for emergency aid to help combat the global outbreak.
Saudi Arabia has provided $10 million to the WHO for the implementation of urgent measures to minimize the spread of the disease and to support countries with vulnerable health infrastructures.
The Cabinet vowed that the Kingdom will continue to follow the latest developments related to the outbreak and provide complete support to all organizations concerned with combating it.
Following the Cabinet session, Commerce Minister and acting Media Minister Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi told the Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet reviewed several international and regional issues.

The Cabinet, he said, also reviewed Saudi Arabia’s affirmation of support for the Palestinians at all international forums.
The minister also reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts for the political resolution of the crisis in Yemen.
The Cabinet also highlighted the Kingdom’s support for peaceful solutions to the crises in Syria, Libya and Sudan.
The ministers also condemned the assassination attempt on Monday against Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. It expressed its rejection of the cowardly terrorist act and any other attempt aimed at undermining Sudan’s security and stability.
The Cabinet also slammed the failed terrorist attack against an oil tanker in the Arabian Sea last week. The Arab coalition foiled the attack against the tanker off the coast of Yemen.
The Kingdom warned that such attacks by terrorist groups pose a threat to global energy and trade and marine routes, calling for international efforts to neutralize them.
King Salman also briefed the Cabinet on the discussions he held in Riyadh last week with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
The Cabinet also condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Tunis and in the Afghan capital Kabul and offered condolences to families of the victims of those attacks.
The ministers approved the National Program for Developing the Information Technology Sector. The Cabinet also decided that the National Center for Competitiveness shall form a unit to back up laws.