Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Shoura Council on Wednesday approved the rules of early marriage, which restrict the marriage contract for those under 18 years to the specialized court. It also approved the draft law for minors seeking marriage.

Shoura President Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh chaired the session.

Assistant President of the Council Dr. Yahya Al-Samaan said in a press statement after the meeting that the Council took the decision after hearing the views of the committee of Islamic and Judicial Affairs on the opinions and viewpoints on the draft law during the deliberations in the previous session.

The law will prohibit marriage contract for those who have not attained the age of 15 years, male or female.

The draft law consists several regulations, such as fixing the age of minor at 18, stipulating a condition of producing medical report for the marriage of those under 18, and rules to ensure prevention of marriage of those who are not qualified.

The Council called King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center to expand the Saudization of jobs for health workers, especially in nursing, also to shorten waiting periods for appointments in outpatient and emergency clinics.

The Council took the decision after hearing the views of the committee of health regarding the annual report of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center for the fiscal year 1438/1439 AH.

Al-Samaan said the Council approved during the session a draft of a Regional Councils of Youth submitted by the former member of the Council, Hamed Al-Sharari, based on Article (23) of the Council's Law.

These councils aim to empower young generation in development programs in their areas and promote youth participation in volunteer work to serve the nation, and establish a culture of communication and cooperation dialogue among young people, to serve the interests of the country.

The Council also discussed the report of the Committee on Transport, Communications and Information Technology on the annual report of the General Authority of Civil Aviation for the fiscal year 1438/1439 AH.

The committee demand GACA to expand the issuance of permits for ground service companies to increase competition and improve quality, and to upgrade the services of the rest of the executive offices in the Kingdom's airports, similar to the main airports.

It called on the Authority to oblige airlines to apply the mechanisms and controls used in delaying flights, to ensure the rights of passengers.

One of the members of the Council called for reconsidering the privatization of airports according to international best practices, thus contributing to the development of air transport in the Kingdom and increasing the employment rate. — SG