Saudi Gazette report

Riyadh — The Council of Ministers on Tuesday expressed its appreciation for the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman that $2 billion be deposited in the account of Yemen’s central bank raising the total deposit in the bank to $3 billion.

The Cabinet chaired by King Salman said this humanitarian gesture shows the Kingdom’s keenness to help the Yemeni people overcome their suffering and cope with the economic burdens inflicted by Iranian Houthi militias who have plundered the state’s resources and seized its revenues.

Following the session, Minister of Culture and Information Awwad Al-Awwad said the Cabinet also welcomed the announcement of the comprehensive humanitarian aid plan in Yemen following the meeting of foreign ministers of coalition countries supporting the legitimacy in Yemen.

The meeting on Monday in Riyadh announced new humanitarian aid for Yemen worth $1.5 billion, more than 50% of the humanitarian response plan for Yemen issued by the UN for 2018.

The Cabinet praised the unanimous resolution issued by ministers of foreign affairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states condemning the targeting of populated areas in Riyadh by Houthis through an Iranian made ballistic missile on Dec. 19.

The resolution described it as evidence of the violation of international resolutions by Iranian Houthi militias.

The OIC resolution said that member states will support the Kingdom against terrorism and anyone seeking to threaten its security. It expressed solidarity with the Kingdom in all steps and measures being taken to maintain its security and stability. The resolution called on all OIC member states to take a collective stand against this sinful attack and those who support it by providing the perpetrators with weapons.

The resolution also condemned Iran for its interference in some countries of the region.

The Cabinet on the recommendations of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs approved the National Water Strategy.

It also approved the authorization of the Minister of Finance, Chairman of the General Authority for Zakat and Tax or his deputy to sign a draft agreement between the Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates to avoid double taxation and prevent tax evasion.