RIYADH, 7 November — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, yesterday congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd on the 20th anniversary of his ascension to the throne, and commended the king’s outstanding role in history.
"We are blessed by a noble and proud people, and they are blessed by a king who loves them from the depth of his heart. Twenty years are a small period in the expanse of time but long enough to capture history’s attention," the crown prince said in his congratulatory message to King Fahd.
Prince Abdullah referred to King Fahd’s great achievements and leadership qualities. "The great sons of King Abdul Aziz ruled this country, and you have now become, my brother and friend, a great symbol influencing the course of history," Prince Abdullah said in his message.
Recalling the past history of the Kingdom, Prince Abdullah said: "Pictures of great moments rush to my memory and I found you there several times as my father, brother, friend and leader."
He highlighted King Abdul Aziz’s efforts in bringing up the Saudi leadership and shaping their vision. "The founder of the Kingdom, our father King Abdul Aziz remains a great model as a pious and dedicated king," he said.
"His (King Abdul Aziz) mantle exudes the fragrance of nobility and chivalry, and above all the fear of God in private as well as public life," he added.
Prince Abdullah also noted the bonds uniting the Saudi people and leadership. "How great was the impact when the Saudi people — men and women — cooperated with the project of building this nation, closing their ranks and holding fast to the Islamic faith."
Meanwhile, King Fahd yesterday commended the long-term national plan for science and technology prepared by the Planning Ministry and the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology.
"The plan will certainly promote science and technology in the Kingdom in the long-run," King Fahd said while receiving a copy of the policy document.
King Fahd, who yesterday completed 20 years as ruler of the Kingdom, praised the distinguished efforts made by government officials, especially the planning minister and KACST’s president to prepare the work. Dr. Saleh Al-Athel, president of KACST, said work on the project had started as early as 1997 when a study on the present condition of science and technology in the Kingdom was conducted.
"We prepared the national policy for science and technology as the third phase of the project, which we presented to the king today," he said, adding that a large number of officials and experts had taken part in the work. Setting out detailed strategies for the plan is the fourth and final phase of the project, Al-Athel said. It will start after the endorsement of the document by the Cabinet.
The crown prince also received a copy of the document from Planning Minister Khaled Al-Gosaibi and Al-Athel.
