RIYADH: The Council of Ministers on Monday denounced the Israeli move to construct more Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, saying it would obstruct efforts to restart the Middle East peace process.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, commended the European stand, which rejects Israel’s illegitimate settlement policy.

The European Union has urged Israel to reconsider plans to build new apartments in East Jerusalem. The EU said it was illegal under international law to construct further settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

During the Cabinet meeting, King Abdullah briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with King Abdallah of Jordan, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Syrian President Bashar Assad and Sudanese President Omar Bashir, adding that they focused on strengthening Arab unity.

He said Arab leaders had identical views on major issues in the region. He emphasized the need to intensify efforts to reach a just and comprehensive Middle East peace settlement and set up an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said the Cabinet meeting made a number of important decisions. It decided to keep the Saudization rate for the contracting sector at 5 percent for another two years. The meeting also approved Saudi Arabia’s coastlines on the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf.