RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has welcomed a statement issued by Arab foreign ministers, who were meeting in Jordan to discuss the repercussions of the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The Saudi Cabinet stressed that the city is key to peace in the region and that there could be no stability without the establishment of a Palestinian state according to the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Saudi Arabia’s statement came after a Cabinet meeting presided over by King Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. King Salman briefed ministers about his telephone conversation with Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the emir of Kuwait, as well as talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and President Nicos Anastasiades of Cyprus. The king also briefed the Cabinet on cooperation agreements between the Saudi and Cypriot governments, as well as the outcome of his meeting with the President of the Egyptian Council of Representatives, Dr. Ali Abdel Aal. Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad Al-Awwad said the Cabinet expressed its gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following a royal decree to pay annual allowances to those employed in the military, monthly allowances for social security beneficiaries and an increase in remuneration of male and female students. The government said that the royal decree stems from King Salman’s desire to ease burdens on citizens and provide them with continued support. It also reflects his keenness on their prosperity and providing them with decent standards of living. It also expressed Saudi Arabia’s strong condemnation of the suicide attack on a mosque in northeastern Nigeria, reiterating the Kingdom’s rejection of acts of terrorism.