The ministerial council warned of the repercussions of the dangerous Israeli escalation on the peace efforts in the Middle East.
Cabinet described it as unacceptable by all human and international norms and demanded the international community to assume its responsibilities and intervene to stop the offensive, protect civilians and compel Israel to halt its air raids immediately.
Cabinet hailed the efforts of the Culture Minister in bolstering the cultural movement in Bahrain.
The ministerial council underscored the importance of the National Theatre, which was opened recently by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, describing it as a cultural and civilizational landmark that reflects the government’s keenness to boost Bahrain’s role as a cultural beacon and promote creativity.
HRH the Prime Minister congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi government and people on success of the surgery King Abdullah underwent.
The council lauded the role of the Saudi monarch and his remarkable efforts to serve his country as well as Arab and Islamic issues.
HRH the Prime Minister praised King Abdullah’s statesmanship and numerous initiatives to support Arab and Islamic issues, describing that as a source of hope and reassurance that Arab and Muslims’ unity and cooperation are fine in the present and future.
The Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments presented a report by the body in charge of following up on the implementation of the recommendations of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI).
The report highlighted the executive, legislative and judicial procedures taken so far to carry out the recommendations and introduce fundamental reforms.
The cabinet underlined the need to carry on with the implementation of BICI recommendations fully and effectively. It hailed the initiatives included in the report, stressing the importance of commitment to the reform goals and the need for all to work hand in hand to attain the forecast objectives.
The cabinet reiterated the government’s resolve to act decisively against the mounting wave of violence and terrorism in Bahrain by enforcing the law and ensuring human rights are respected.
The ministerial council pledged never to allow recurrence of last year’s regrettable incidents, stressing that the door for dialogue will always remain open to those who reject violence and do not provide a political or religious cover for it.
Then, HRH the Prime Minister directed to upgrade services and facilities in Hidd and tasked relevant ministries to prepare the needed studies for that in coordination with concerned parties.
The cabinet underscored the importance of going ahead with separating public medicine from private medicine without compromising patients’ right for optimum public medical services or the doctors and consultants’ interests.
In this context, the council instructed the Health Ministry to extend the grace period given to fix the situation of consultants who have private clinics till March 31, 2013. It also tasked the ministry to coordinate with the Civil Service Bureau to discuss raising some allowances and create new ones to ensure just and flexible separation of public medicine from the private one.
The cabinet also demanded the Health Ministry to work out a mechanism for state-run private medicine according to a memorandum submitted by the Health Minister.
The ministerial council approved the recommendations pertaining to the executive scheme of the national strategy for the elderly, which was submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Social Services Affairs, Media, Transportation and Communication, headed by Deputy Premier Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and decided to refer it to the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs to study the needed budget.
The cabinet discussed the national strategy for the disabled and its executive scheme through a memorandum submitted by Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Ministerial Committee for Social Services Affairs, Media, Transportation and Communication Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
The council decided to refer the strategy and its executive scheme to the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs to study the needed budget.
The cabinet approved the general framework of the media plan which was proposed by the Ministerial Committee for Social Services Affairs, Media, Transportation and Communication, in line with a memorandum submitted by the Minister of State for Media Affairs.
The council approved a proposal by the Representatives Council regarding land acquisition in the Capital Governorate to serve housing and services projects.
It also endorsed a proposal to complete the infrastructure of housing projects before implementing them, a proposal to set up some roads and streets in Shakhoora and Abu Saiba villages and a proposal to compensate small and medium companies which have been affected by the recent regrettable incidents in Bahrain.