(MENAFN - Arab News) The Council of Ministers yesterday approved the formation of reconciliation centers to settle conflicts amicably before reaching courts.
The move is expected to reduce pressure on courts and strengthen social relations.
The Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, called for the activation of religious options for the settlement of disputes through reconciliation, saying it would deepen the values of forgiveness and tolerance in the society.
"It will also cut down the burden on courts and reduce extended litigation with a legitimate and statutory guarantee of the right of litigation for all when they do not want settlement through reconciliation," according to a Cabinet statement.
Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said the Cabinet extended its condolences to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown Prince Salman, the royal family and all Saudi people on the death of Prince Sattam, former governor of Riyadh.
Referring to the worsening Syria crisis, Cabinet members stressed the importance of unifying the international vision in dealing with the crisis, the need to transfer power, the immediate cessation of bloodbath and realize the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.
Cabinet members noted the recommendations of the anti-terror conference in Riyadh, asserting that the fight against terrorism is a joint global responsibility that demands combined international efforts in order to safeguard the lives of the innocent people and protect world peace and security.
On domestic affairs, members of the Cabinet thanked King Abdullah for approving the extension of the Foreign Scholarship Program to another five years. It also praised the International Conference for the development of Qur'anic studies in Riyadh.
The Cabinet also set up a unified board of directors for medical cities and specialized hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health. The board will be the dominant authority to deal with all matters relating to these hospitals. The board will have a special budget, which will be spent on the board's activities and committees and rewards for its members.
"Each medical city and specialized hospital affiliated to the Ministry of Health shall have an executive director general appointed by the minister of health," Khoja said.
The Cabinet approved an agreement signed with Jordan on March 27, 2012 for the transfer of persons sentenced to penalties. The Cabinet authorized the president of Saudi Commission for Wildlife, or his deputy, to sign the draft statute of Arab Federation for Natural Reserves. It approved the agreement with the Czech Republic for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion.
The Cabinet appointed Saad bin Hamdan Al-Hamdan, undersecretary at the Ministry of Finance, as a member of the board of directors of National Water Company in place of Osama bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rabiah.
It also appointed Walid bin Taher Radwan ambassador, Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al- Zahid, minister plenipotentiary, Khaled bin Al-Saati, as ministers plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Saleh bin Ali Al-Laheedan assistant undersecretary for land affairs at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah appointed Dr. Fahd bin Muhammad Juma a member of the Shoura Council in place of Dr. Majed bin Abdullah Al-Muneef who has been named secretary-general of the Supreme Economic Council.
