Riyadh, Rabi'II 22, 1436, Feb 11, 2015, SPA -- Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, who is also Chairman of the Security and Political Affairs Council, chaired at the Royal Court today the first meeting of the Security and Political Affairs Council. At the outset of the meeting, Prince Mohammed bin Naif expressed thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his royal order establishing the Security and Political Affairs Council which reflects King Salman's keenness to orchestrate all issues pertaining to security and political affairs according to prescribed strategies serving the interests of citizens and homeland. Prince Mohammed stressed the monarch’s directives to upgrade the efficiency of performance and level of coordination in order to avoid duplication and achieve the projected goals leading to integration of roles, responsibilities and areas of profession to keep pace with the rapid developments and changes in various fields. The meeting discussed the the council's mechanisms and a number of issues relating to political and security affairs, including the latest developments at regional and international arenas. --SPA 20:58 LOCAL TIME 17:58 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w