Jeddah, April 18, SPA -- The Shoura (Consultative) Council yesterday held its first regular session after the recent reshuffle and formed 12 sub-committees that included those on foreign affairs, security, human rights, finance, economy and energy. Dr. Saleh Bin-Humaid, the council's chairman, thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul-Aziz for rejuvenating the consultative body by increasing its strength from 120 members to 150. King Fahd inaugurated the new council on Tuesday and said Saudi Arabia would go ahead with political and economic reforms. The king's speech dealt with foreign policy, economic liberalization, privatization programs and women's employment. "I am sure that the coming sessions of the Shoura will witness qualitative changes in terms of responsibilities, powers, structure and mode of work," Bin-Humaid said. He welcomed the new members and thanked outgoing members for their contributions.--MORE1014 Local Time 0714 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/255454