Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques inaugurates projects in Makkah, Madinah

CP patronizes int'l water resources & environment conference

French interior minister hails relations with KSA

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, patronized in Makkah the ceremony of inaugurating the project of Development of Khuzam Palace Area in Jeddah and the Exhibition of Grand Developmental Projects in Makkah region.

The ceremony was attended by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.

Upon arrival at the venue, the Monarch was received by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Makkah region; Prince Mishaal bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Jeddah; and Eng. Adel bin Mohammed Faqih, the Mayor of Jeddah.

A speech ceremony was held on this occasion.

Welcoming the King and the Crown Prince, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal said that the King's directives have led to upgrading various sectors to a world level, particularly Saudi cities which have been moved to world standards.

He pointed out that it is good to start the developmental program with Khuzam Palace Project, the Palace of the founder, who set up this great nation which has a great position at Arab, Islamic and international arenas.

In his speech, Eng. Faqih said that the King's approval of addressing random districts in Makkah region came in light of the development taking place in the Kingdom.

On his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dar Al-Arkan, the partner developer of the project Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Shalash noted that the project will provide more than 150,000 jobs and investments estimated at about SR 50 billion.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud opened the Exhibition of Grand Developmental Projects in Makkah Region.

According to Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Governor of Makkah Region, the exhibition will be held on an 115000 sq.m. area along Jeddah northern cornice and will last for three months.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, he said the event attains special importance as it is the first of its kind in Makkah Region to accommodate the great projects being achieved during the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

He thanked the monarch for gracing the event by opening it.

He said the exhibition includes the current and future developmental projects in the region. They include Kingdom tower; Jeddah downtown development project; Khuzam palace development, King Abdulaziz parallel road, economic city's two projects; Jeddah gate; Dubai tower; Jeddah Islamic port expansion; Darb Al-Khaleel projects; Jabel Omer constructions; Jeddah cornice offices towers; Al-Andalusia and Lamar projects; King Abdulaziz airport development; and Souk (market) Okaz in addition to road projects in the region of Makkah.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud inaugurated in Madinah the projects of electricity grid linking a number of the Kingdom's regions and he was briefed on the third phase of desalination plant project Yanbu-Madinah.

Upon arrival at the venue, the King was received by Prince Abdulaziz bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Madinah region and a number of officials.

Then the King watched maps and replicas of the electricity grid projects and he was briefed on them by Minister of Water and Electricity Eng. Abdullah bin Abdurrahman Al-Hussein and Executive President of Electricity Company Ali Al-Barrak.

Following that, the King watched replicas of desalination plant and pipelines in Madinah region and he was briefed on them by Minister of Water and Electricity and Governor of General Organization of Water Fuhaid al-Sharif.

They all listened to the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

In his speech, the Minister of Water and Electricity Eng Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Hussein welcomed the King to lay the foundation stone for the electricity grid projects linking a number of regions and to be briefed on the third stage of desalination plant project Yanbu-Madinah.

He said that the King and the Crown Prince have given utmost importance to the electricity sector, noting that after the completion of most of its infrastructure, the state restructured it to work on a commercial basis while working to review and update its operational plans in addition to the completion of electricity grid projects in the Kingdom and with neighboring countries, including the GCC electricity grid expected to be completed by the end of this year.

He indicated that the ministry also gives the rationalization of electric energy consumption great importance and prepares to launch a national campaign under the King's patronage to enlighten citizens and residents of the importance of conservation of energy consumption.

The minister pointed out that Saudi Electricity Company supported by the state has executed projects in the field of generation and distribution at a cost exceeding SR 80 billion and it is executing projects exceeding SR 93 billion and it has delivered electricity to 5.3 million subscribers.

He said that the King approved inclusion of the third phase of the project of sea water desalination plant in the province of Yanbu within the projects to be implemented with the private sector participation with a production capacity of 400,000 cubic meters per day, equivalent to 88 million gallons per day, and an electric capacity of 1,600 megawatts to meet Madinah's needs of desalinated water until 1450H. The plant is expected to operate during the first quarter of 1433H, he noted.

Then the King watched a video presentation of desalinated water projects and electricity projects.

Following that, the King inaugurated electricity grid project linking Madinah and Qassim; the western and southern sector grid project linking Al-Shaqiq plant in Jazan and Al-Shuaiba plant, south of Jeddah; and a grid project linking Assir region with Jazan. The King touched an electronic screen marking the laying of the foundation stone for the projects, saying," In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Gracious, and His blessings".

The King talked to engineers at the project site via an online television, saying, "Thank you, may Allah bless, support and help you."

The Monarch received a memorial gift from Prince Abdulaziz bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Madinah region.

Then the King graced a banquet held in his honor by Prince Abdulaziz bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Madinah region.

The inauguration ceremony and the banquet were attended by Prince Miteb bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Abdulilah bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the King; Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz, Chief of General Intelligence; a number of princes; ministers and senior officials.

Under the Patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz the National Family Safety Program (NFSP) organizes in collaboration with the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) " The 3rd Arab – ISPCAN Regional Conference on Child Protection" between 4 – 7 Rabi' I 1430 (H) 1 – 4 March 2009 (G) at King Faisal Convention Center-Riyadh Intercontinental Hotel. The conference carries the theme "Child Protection in Arab Countries: Working Together Towards Safer Childhood".

The National Family Safety Program (NFSP) invites all children to participate in the “Children Drawing Contest” which accompanies “The 3rd Arab-ISPCAN Regional Conference on Child Protection: Working Together Towards a Safer Childhood”. This contest promotes children’s participation in activities related to their rights and protection against violence. It emphasizes the importance of the family and its role in securing a safe environment for a child as well.

Topics:

1. Safe Childhood.

2. Child and Family.

3. Child Maltreatment.

4. Children’s Rights.

Drawings will be posted in the conference “Children Drawing Gallery” and Winners will be awarded valuable prizes.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received a telephone call from Britain's Premier Gordon Brown.

During the conversation, bilateral relations between the two countries were discussed and current regional and international situations were reviewed.

Saudi ambassadors accredited to Africa-based Arab countries held in Rabat their fifth regional meeting in the presence of Prince Khalid bin Saud bin Khalid, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Prince Mohammed bin Saud bin Khalid, Director of Studies and Information Center at the ministry.

The three-day meeting aims at discussing ways of coordination among Saudi ambassadors and their ministry on issues of concern to the performance of the Saudi diplomatic and consulate missions.

The previous four meetings were held in Addis Ababa, Dakar, Washington and London.

At the outset of the meeting, Prince Khalid bin Saud gave an account on the outcome of the previous meeting which covered the political, economic, cultural, information, normalization, and fiscal and consulate affairs in addition to protocol and community affairs.

He called for taking advantage of the technological progress and telecommunication development currently witnessed by the world to further boost the ministry and its diplomatic and consulate missions' performance.

He said that Rabat meeting is another chance to exchange views and evaluate diplomatic performance on Saudi communities abroad, attracting foreign investments and encouraging Saudi exports.

He underscored the importance of enhancing contacts with the media and business communities in host countries to explain the Kingdom's policy towards all international issues.

For his part, the Saudi ambassador to Morocco Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Bishr extended thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, for their support for Saudi ambassadors, noting the prestigious status the Kingdom is enjoying at international platforms.

Similar meetings for Saudi ambassadors in the Asia-based Arab countries, entire Asia and other diplomatic regions will be held according to schedule, he added.

Saudi ambassador to France Dr. Mohammed bin Isma'il al Alsheih held a reception party on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the Kingdom's national day, which fell on September 23.

The reception party was attended by a number of senior French officials as well as ambassadors of the Arab, Islamic and friendly countries in addition to a number of businessmen and members of the Saudi community in France.

Speaking on the occasion, French interior minister Michel Elio Mary highlighted the Saudi-French relations and the keenness of the two countries on fighting terrorism and enhancing the pillars of peace and security.