The Council of Ministers welcomed the formation of the new Iraqi government and its winning of the confidence of the Iraqi parliament. The Council of Ministers expressed hope that this will contribute to the return of security and stability to Iraq and consolidation of national unity and cohesion among various components of its people to build a secure and prosperous Iraq. On the occasion of the start of the twenty seventh session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the kingdom renewed its call on the international community to protect the rights of the Palestinian people and give them their right to self-determination and establishing of their independent state with Alquds as its capital. The kingdom expressed deep regret for not taking a decisive and courageous stand to end the suffering of the Syrian people who lost more than 191 thousand people and double that number as wounded at the hands of the Syrian regime which has lost legitimacy. The kingdom also reiterated its firm positions renouncing terrorism and extremism and rejecting and condemning the gross violations of human rights perpetrated by terrorist organizations in the name of Islam which is innocent of them. In this context, the Council of Ministers valued what was expressed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees of thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian assistance to refugees in various countries around the world through the Saudi relief committees and campaigns, which have had a deep impact on helping refugees, alleviating their suffering and meeting their needs. On local affairs, the minister said that the Council of Ministers extended thanks to various security agencies at the Ministry of the Interior and the Customs Department for succeeding in thwarting the smuggling, transport, reception and promotion of drugs worth more than one billion and 878 million riyals and arresting 1197 defendants during the past six months. The cabinet commended the vigilance of security men and coordination and integration among various departments in the follow-up and monitoring of those involved and thwarting their plans and protecting citizens from the scourge of drugs. --More 15:30 LOCAL TIME 12:30 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w