Cabinet lauds King's address, praises BDF staff bravery

Manama, Oct. 12 (BNA): The cabinet has lauded the address delivered by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the opening of the second session of the Fourth Legislative Term of the National Assembly. His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa voiced deep pride in HM the King's praise of the government's landmark achievements at the domestic and external levels, as well as its constant keenness on developing its action and following up on the implementation of its programmes through interaction with all segments of society in a bid to fulfill the needs and aspirations of the citizens. Chairing, at the Gudaibiya Palace today, the regular cabinet weekly session attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, HRH Premier stressed that the directives and issues embedded in the royal address will top the government's priorities, being a strategic vision about the future at the local and international levels. The cabinet then extended its congratulations to HM King Hamad, the Supreme Commander, for the successes of Bahrain Defence Force (BDF)'s "Duty Force One", under the command of the Royal Guard Commander Brigadier-General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the Royal Guard Special Force Commander Major Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The cabinet lauded the heroic role of "Duty Force One", along with other troops from the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, in liberating the cities of Aden and Marib and taking full control over Bab Al-Mandab Strait, stressing that the participation of the brave BDF servicemen in restoring legitimacy in Yemen was in line with the kingdom's belief in the need to support the right and legitimacy, and as part of its responsibilities towards brotherly Yemen's security and stability, , Secretary-General of the Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser said in a statement following the session. The session also extended sincere congratulations to HM King Hamad, the Bahraini people and the Arab and Islamic nations on the new Hijri Year 1437, calling for the need to draw great lessons from Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)'s Hijra (migration) in fostering unity and solidarity among Muslims. On health, the panel reviewed the current situation of the swine flu (H1N1) disease in the kingdom, and discussed the recommendations and the action plan outlined in the report submitted by the Health Minister following HRH the Prime Minister's order in this regard. The report included the pre-emptive measures taken by the Health Ministry to confront the disease and prevent it from spreading, as well as the ministry's treatment preparedness, and focus on the expatriate workforce to ensure they are free of diseases, especially the infectious and communicable ones. HRH the Prime Minister was also informed about the efforts being exerted to follow-up on and monitor prices of commodities and services delivered to the citizens at markets, spot violators and hold them accountable, as outlined in a memorandum presented by the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister in this regard. The administrative measures taken by ministry against violators and price manipulators, as indicated in the memorandum, were praised by the Council of Ministers. The session welcomed the decision of the tourism ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to designate Manama as Capital of GCC Tourism for 2016, as outlined in the report submitted by the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister on the GCC Tourism Ministers' recent meeting in Doha, Qatar. In another context, the cabinet discussed amendments to the executive bill of the Municipalities Law, especially Article 42 pertaining to budget spending orders, and Article 72 regarding the fees on land reclamation. The cabinet reviewed the recommendations submitted by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Financial Affairs and Rationalising Expenditure in this regard, and referred them to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The committee will also have to study a number of draft ministerial edicts related to civil defence submitted by the Interior Minister to the session. The cabinet discussed five proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives. They included the allocation of government land lots for housing projects in Muharraq, housing units for divorcees and widows, the establishment of specialised dentistry centres, a youth centre centre at the Capital Governorate's tenth constituency and a secondary school for girls that serves the towns and villages located along the Budaiya Highway. The cabinet referred to the Council of Representatives the government's replies to the five proposals, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.