Major customs tariff cuts on food, medicines and building materials - plus extra tax reductions on other consumer goods are being considered by the Bahrain Cabinet.

Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who chaired yesterday's session, urged the Industry and Commerce, Works and Finance ministries to study such exemptions.

The Premier also tasked the government committee, which has agreed with parliament on ways of distributing BD40 million ($106 million), to begin technical arrangements to guarantee the delivery of the high cost of living allowance to its beneficiaries on March 15 at the latest.

The Cabinet also condemned brutal attacks by Israeli forces in Gaza which have killed innocent Palestinians, including children, and created fear.

The session called on the international community to stop Israeli military operations which, it said, contradicted basic human principles.

The Cabinet also condemned Israel for continuing such attacks which reflect negatively on Arab and international efforts to bring peace in the Middle East.-TradeArabia News Service