JEDDAH, 13 November 2005 — Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, yesterday inspected the Peninsula Shield force stationed in Hafr Al-Batin and called for strengthening armed forces in the GCC countries.
“We are looking for progress in everything that would lead to the unity of ranks and improving standards of armed forces in the Gulf countries in general,” he told troops in the Peninsula Shield, which is composed of forces from the six Gulf Cooperation Council states.
Prince Sultan arrived in the northeastern border city to congratulate the GCC forces on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for Arab and Islamic causes, particularly the Palestinian issue.
Earlier sitting in an open vehicle, Prince Sultan inspected a parade of the GCC forces. The crown prince was accompanied by Eastern Province Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd.
The GCC groups Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
