RIYADH — The Saudi Council of Ministers firmly rejected any attempt to use vital waterways as instruments of pressure, threats or coercion, or to undermine the interests of states, stressing that their use must remain consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday. The Cabinet stressed the importance of ensuring the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait Bab al-Mandab, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, and of restoring the situation in the Strait of Hormuz to what it was before February 28, without the imposition of any fees or restrictions. The Cabinet followed up on political developments at the regional and international levels, welcoming the statement issued by members of the UN Security Council condemning the continued attacks by the Houthi terrorist militia against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels, the threats to maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the undermining of efforts to achieve peace in Yemen. At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the contents of his phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin; Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani; and Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. He also briefed the Cabinet on his meeting with Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chief of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.The discussions focused on relations between Saudi Arabia and these friendly nations, as well as ways to strengthen and advance these ties across various fields. The talks also dealt with the latest regional developments, and efforts to promote regional and international security and stability.In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossari said that the Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of Saudi Arabia’s participation in the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. In this regard, the Cabinet commended the Kingdom’s significant role in this global gathering, particularly its leadership in multilateral frameworks and its support across various levels. These efforts contribute to promoting international peace and security, fostering dialogue and diplomacy, addressing global crises and challenges, and strengthening responses to humanitarian needs.The Cabinet viewed the Kingdom’s financial support for the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre’s programs as a continuation of its sustained efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It also underscored the importance of the centre and its active role in building national capacities, unifying global efforts, and strengthening international cooperation in this field.The Cabinet also took note of the progress made in establishing the General Secretariat of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement and forming its affiliated committees and working groups. It further acknowledged the steps taken during meetings of the ministers of foreign affairs and chiefs of the general staff of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye to strengthen coordination and integration among the three countries and begin translating the agreement’s commitments into practical military cooperation aimed at enhancing deterrence and collective defense.Al-Dossary said that the Cabinet strongly condemned the continued attacks by Israeli occupation authorities and extremist settlers against the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and its religious and historical status, as well as the ongoing expansionist attempts to infringe upon the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. The Council reiterated that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.The Cabinet reviewed several reports on domestic affairs, expressing its appreciation for the continued international recognition of the pioneering "Saudi Model for Education and Training Quality." The model has established an integrated system of programs, tools, standards, and an extensive database of information. This contributes to ensuring the adequacy of educational outcomes, preparing globally competitive national talent, and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, in line with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program and Saudi Vision 2030. The Cabinet approved the agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Turkey on mutual exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special passports. The Council authorized the minister of culture or his deputy to discuss with the American side the draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the cultural field between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and the Smithsonian Institution in the United States of America, and to sign it. It authorized the minister of health or his deputy to discuss with the Djiboutian side the draft MoU between the Saudi Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Health of Djibouti on cooperation in the health fields, and to sign it. The Cabinet approved a MoU between the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority and the Syrian Central Authority for Control and Inspection in the field of preventing and combating corruption. It endorsed the governance framework for reviewing requests for the transformation of government entities, in accordance with the rules and procedures governing the treatment of employees and workers in the sectors targeted for transformation and privatization.The Cabinet authorized minister of finance and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority to approve the lists of prohibited, restricted, and special-nature goods adopted within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council.