Saudi Cabinet condemns Al-Ahsa murderers

RIYADH: The Cabinet condemned on Monday the Al-Ahsa attackers as murderers and welcomed an initiative by scholars, intellectuals and preachers to counter extremism in the country. Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, chaired the meeting at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar, who is acting minister of culture and information, said in a statement issued after the meeting that the ministers had offered their “deepest condolences” to the relatives of the victims, and commended scholars, sheikhs and citizens in the Kingdom for condemning the “heinous attack.” He said the Cabinet also praised the King Abdulaziz National Center for Dialogue for developing a program to counter extremism in the country. The initiative, known as Dialogues, would involve 20 events in all provinces with the participation of top scholars, preachers and intellectuals. Hajar said the ministers at the meeting also condemned Israel for storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and attacking worshipers. “The Saudi Council of Ministers called on the international community to take steps to end the brazen Israeli violations and terror attacks on the Palestinians and their sacred locations,” said Hajar.   Arab News