GCC security pact endorsed

Saudi Arabia ratified a GCC security agreement on Monday, which was passed by the Supreme Council at the Gulf Cooperation Council during its 33rd session held in Bahrain last December.
“The agreement focuses on cooperation among member countries in law enforcement and information exchange,” said Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja.
Member countries will cooperate with one another in tracking down criminals and law violators irrespective of their nationalities. The agreement also allows GCC countries to take action against citizens and foreigners who try to interfere in their internal affairs. They will also exchange information related to wanted citizens and foreigners.
The Cabinet approved the updated population strategy for the GCC and decided to use it as a guideline.
The meeting authorized the minister of transport or his deputy to discuss a draft cooperation agreement in the field of maritime transport with German counterparts.
The Cabinet also discussed several local issues and reviewed the seventh edition of Souk Okaz in Taif, which was launched by Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.
The Cabinet commended the efforts made by various public and private agencies to make the Umrah season a success.
The Cabinet welcomed pilgrims who began arriving in the Kingdom to perform Haj, which is scheduled to commence on October 13.
The Cabinet authorized the chairman of the Board of Directors of King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives to sign a draft agreement for cooperation with the Sheikh Sultan Al-Qasimi Foundation in Sharjah.
The Cabinet appointed Sultan bin Abdullah Al-Sayegh and Daham bin Awad Al-Daham ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim technical adviser at the Ministry of Education; Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Batal secretary-general of the Training and Scholarship Committee at the Ministry of Civil Service; Abdulkhaliq bin Rashid Rafia minister plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Saud bin Saad Al-Rashood follow-up director general at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance; and Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Muqbil director general of the office of the president at the Court of Grievances.