TABUK, 1 January — Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, yesterday opened the public library, established at a cost of SR12 million, in Tabuk yesterday. He also laid the foundation stone for the aviation support building and control tower at King Faisal Airbase in the Northwestern Province.
Prince Sultan, who is on an inspection tour of armed forces personnel and military installations, later arrived in Hafr Al-Baten. He was received on arrival at King Khaled Military City airport by Eastern Province Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd, Commander of the Northern Province Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Nafie, and Commander of the Peninsula Shield Maj. Gen. Omar Babaer.
Opening the public library in Tabuk, established by the Education Ministry, Prince Sultan highlighted the government's efforts to spread education and promote knowledge by setting up educational institutions and libraries. He underlined the significance of constructive criticism.
"The responsibility is not restricted to government employees. On the contrary, others (who are not government officials) have a greater responsibility by criticizing, building and questioning," the prince said addressing the gathering at the library.
Prince Sultan was later briefed on the library's facilities from Abdullah Al-Fowzan, undersecretary for school buildings and facilities. Dr. Ibrahim Al-Musned, director of libraries at the Education Ministry, outlined a plan to link all libraries with a computer network.
Addressing an Eid Al-Fitr festival of armed forces at King Faisal Airbase, Prince Sultan commended the role being played by soldiers at the base in defending the country's Northwestern region. He underlined the armed forces role in protecting the country's holy sites and extending support to the Arab and Islamic Ummah.
"We are developing these forces not to attack or terrify others but to serve our religion and the holy sites," Prince Sultan said. He said the Kingdom's armed forces would serve as the right hand of the Arab Ummah to restore the Arab rights usurped by Israel.
The aviation support building project, for which Prince Sultan laid the foundation stone yesterday, is considered the heart of air navigation at King Faisal Airbase in the Northwestern Province. The facility is provided with advanced electronic equipment which enhances the accuracy and saftey of takeoffs and landings.
Prince Sultan also watched an air show involving different types of military planes at the base. Earlier, the prince attended a luncheon hosted by the base at the officers club. It was also attended by Tabuk Governor Prince Fahd ibn Sultan, Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahman Al-Murshid, commander of the Northwestern Province.
