Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The Council of Ministers on Monday voiced deep concern over the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem by the Israeli occupation authorities and called on the international community to shoulder its responsibility to halt such practices that deeply hurt the sentiments of Muslims around the globe.

The weekly session of the Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, described the Israeli act as a dangerous development that would further complicate the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Minister of Culture and Information Awwad Al-Awwad said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency following the session that the Cabinet noted that the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque is the first of its kind in the history of the occupation. “This act constitutes a flagrant violation that deeply hurt the feelings of Muslims around the world.”

Al-Awwad said the Cabinet was briefed on the reports on the latest developments in the region, particularly the joint statement of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on the issue of Qatar.

The Cabinet reiterated the emphasis made by the four states in the statement about continuing their ongoing procedures against Doha so that the Qatari authorities are committed to implement all the just demands that guarantee combating terrorism and achieving stability and security in the region.

Earlier, King Salman briefed the Cabinet on his recent phone calls with US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi. During the conversation with Trump, the King appreciated the role of the United States in leading the Global Coalition to fight Daesh (the so-called IS) terrorist organization and eliminating it in Mosul, Iraq. The King reiterated the Kingdom’s position, with all its potentials, in combating terrorism and drying up its sources until its elimination.