Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz today chaired the regular weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers, and addressed the Cabinet on the fact that since its inception the Kingdom has shown concern for developing the country and satisfying the needs of its citizens in pursuit of a better standard of living for everyone, in all walks of life, as well as for security and a good life for future generations. The allocation from the expected State budget surplus of an extra SR 41 billion [U.S. $10.9 billion] for service and development projects, he said, comes within this concern to improve the daily lives of citizens throughout the Kingdom. Plans are already under way for implementing over a five-year period, starting with the upcoming new fiscal year, extra projects that cover water and sewage, roads, health care, technical and vocational education, and loans for real estate and small businesses. These are in addition to the regular annual State budget allocations.

The Cabinet then took note of the start of the new school year, commenting on the great interest taken by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz in education, as evidenced by yesterday’s meetings in which the Saudi leadership stressed the importance of achieving the best ways to encourage students and promote the spirit of patriotism, research, and sound thinking; and of adopting methodical and scientific approaches towards better learning in order to ensure richness in the future development of the country.

Turning to domestic issues, the Cabinet passed a number of resolutions, including a decision that a royal decree be issued to the effect that in the case of a convicted person being pardoned by the King, the associated punishments would not be automatically dropped unless so specified by the pardon order.

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