JEDDAH, 14 May 2007 — A spectacular air show with stunning displays by Hawks, F15s, Falcons, Apaches and other fighter aircraft as well as freestyle parachute jumps by professionals delighted the people of Tabuk yesterday in a fitting conclusion to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s landmark visit to the region.
King Abdullah, who is supreme commander of the armed forces, earlier inspected a parade of different army units at the King Abdul Aziz Military City in Tabuk. He reminded military and security forces of their duty to protect the Kingdom’s unity, security, stability and honor by defeating its enemies.
“You, the members of the armed forces along with the National Guard and security forces of the Interior Ministry, form a well-fortified shield for the Kingdom after God Almighty,” the king told the armed forces. Crown Prince Sultan, Interior Minister Prince Naif and Chief of Staff Gen. Saleh Al-Muhaya attended the event.
In his brief speech, King Abdullah commended Saudi security forces for their bravery in confronting “treacherous terrorists” across the country during the past three years.
He also paid tributes to those officers who were killed in gunbattles with militants. “We’ll never forget you. Your sacrifices will remain in our memory forever. You are an important part of us and our history,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as saying.
Maj. Gen. Zubn ibn Talaihan Al-Harbi, commander of the northwestern region, praised King Abdullah for his efforts to strengthen Arab unity and solidarity in order to overcome the challenges facing the Ummah. He thanked the government for its support for the armed forces by providing them with advanced weaponry.
King Abdullah, accompanied by senior princes and Cabinet members, arrived in Tabuk on Friday on the last leg of his tour of the north, which also took him to the Northern Border Region and Al-Jouf.
The royal visit saw the launch of three new universities in Arar, Sakaka and Tabuk and the opening of several health, educational and infrastructure projects worth nearly SR30 billion in the three regions.
King Abdullah returned to Riyadh yesterday and was received at Riyadh Airbase by Prince Sultan and other senior princes including Prince Badr, deputy commander of the National Guard, Prince Ahmed, deputy interior minister, and Shoura Council Chairman Saleh Bin-Humaid.
The weeklong tour of the north highlighted the king’s vision of achieving balanced development all over the Kingdom.
“My meetings with Saudi people in different regions have increased my love and affection for you. And now I feel the trust you have bestowed upon me,” he said.
King Abdullah also said that he would continue his efforts to strengthen the Kingdom and enhance its reputation in the world. “I will not accept less than the peak of honor and nobility for you among nations,” the king said during a reception in Tabuk.
New development projects launched by the king in Tabuk included: the first phase of Tabuk University, a medical city, two hospitals in Dhuba and Amlaj, and a number of technical colleges and vocational training institutes.
The current budget allocates SR475 million for the first phase of the university project. A comprehensive water supply project was one of the major projects launched by the king in the region. “We have already spent SR1.7 billion on this long-term project,” said Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen.
Meanwhile, a consultative summit of GCC leaders will be held in Riyadh tomorrow (Tuesday) to discuss the latest developments in the region including Middle East peace and Iran’s nuclear program, according to Abdul Rahman Al-Attiyah, secretary-general of Gulf Cooperation Council. The leaders will look into a report on progress of cooperation among member countries in various sectors following the last summit in Riyadh.
