Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz today chaired the regular weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers, and, expressing his deep sorrow, offered his condolences to the relatives of those who were killed in the explosion [early in the morning of November 9] at the Al-Muhaya residential complex to the west of the city of Riyadh, an attack that targeted civilians, including women and children. The bombing, he said, was carried out during the Holy Month of Ramadan by criminal terrorists who are devoid of faith and of all humanity, and whose sole aim was to wreak havoc on earth, killing innocent people and destroying their property. King Fahd reiterated the Kingdom's determination to confront terrorism, combat these criminal and sinful acts, apprehend the perpetrators and their supporters, and strike with an iron fist those trying to destabilize the country and attack the peace and security of its citizens and residents.

The cabinet was then briefed on the services the government is providing during this holy month to those performing umrah and to visitors to the Prophet's Mosque, and preparations being taken by the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque to receive worshipers over the last ten days of Ramadan. King Fahd stressed the necessity for providing all services and means of comfort and tranquility for worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques, praying to God Almighty to accept the fasting, prayers and good deeds of all Muslims.
Turning to domestic issues, the cabinet passed a number of resolutions, including authorization for the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to sign all documents in the agreement between the government, Saudi Aramco, and the foreign oil companies regarding exploration in the Empty Quarter [Rub Al-Khali] for non-associated gas reserves, and the production of natural gas liquids from them.

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