Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Council of Ministers on Tuesday reiterated the Kingdom’s deep concern about the continuing attacks by the Syrian regime on Eastern Ghouta and its impact on civilians there.

The weekly session of the Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, called for immediate cessation of hostilities by the Syrian regime and allowing access to humanitarian and relief aid.

It stressed the need for serious efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis in accordance with the agreed principles of the Geneva Declaration and UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

Syrian government warplanes struck the Eastern Ghouta region on Tuesday despite a Russian call for a five-hour truce that failed to halt one of the most devastating campaigns of the war.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Minister of Culture and Information Awwad Al-Awwad said the King wished the newly appointed officials success and hoped they would realize their aspirations to serve their nation and citizens.

In a reshuffle announced late on Monday, the military chief of staff, air defense and land forces heads and senior defense and interior ministry officials were changed.

Lt. Gen. Fayad Al-Ruwaili, deputy chief of staff, was promoted to general and appointed new chief of staff.

The service of the Chief of Staff Gen. Abdurahman Al-Bunyan was ended on retirement and he was appointed as adviser at the Royal Court.

Lt. Gen. Muhammad Suhaim, commander of the Air Defense Forces, was ordered to retire.

Lt. Gen. Fahd Bin Turki, commander of the Land Forces, was relieved of the post and was appointed as commander of the Joint Forces.

Maj. Gen. Mutlaq Al-Azaimie was promoted to Lt. Gen. and appointed deputy chief of staff.

Maj. Gen. Jarallah Al-Olwait was promoted to Lt. Gen. and appointed commander of the Strategic Missiles Force.

Maj. Gen. Fahd Al-Mutair was promoted to Lt. Gen. and appointed commander of the Land Forces.

Maj. Gen. Muzaid Al-Amr was promoted to Lt. Gen. and appointed commander of Air Defense Forces.

Maj. Gen. Turki Bin Bandar was promoted to Lt. Gen. and appointed commander of the Air Forces.

Dr. Tamader Bint Yousef Al-Rammah became deputy labor minister.

The Cabinet also lauded the King’s endorsement of the development document of the Ministry of Defense, which includes the vision and strategy of the ministry’s development program, as well as the decree to establish a Higher Authority for the Development of Asir region.