Ain-Al-Yaqeen - November 3, 2006

		November 3, 2006

IN A TOUR THAT INCLUDES NAJRAN, ASSIR AND JAZAN:
THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES IN THE PRESENCE OF THE CROWN PRINCE INAUGURATES A NUMBER OF PROJECTS AND LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR OTHERS IN NAJRAN AT A COST OF SR 3 THOUSAND MILLIONS.
KING ABDULLAH IN NAJRAN: THE GOVERNMENT HAS NEVER DIFFERENTIATED BETWEEN TWO REGIONS IN THE KINGDOM AND THOSE WHO TRY TO WEDGE RIFTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE WILL NEVER SUCCEED.
CROWN PRINCE SULTAN: THE KING IS KEEN ON ACHIEVING DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE SAUDI SOCIETY AND IN ALL PARTS OF THE KINGDOM.
THE LAUNCH OF A SERIES OF PROJECTS IN ASSIR AT A COST OF SR 13 BILLION.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz arrived in Najran region coming from Jeddah at the start of an inspection tour of the regions of Najran , Assir and Jazan.

During the tour, he met citizens and laid the foundation stones of and inaugurate a number of important developmental projects. The tour is part of his inspection visits to all regions of the kingdom.

At Najran airport, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz was received by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, other princes and senior officials.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was accompanied by a number of princes, ministers and senior officials.

Earlier, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques left Jeddah and was seen off by a number of princes, ministers and senior officials.

Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has highlighted the current visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to southern regions of Najran , Assir and Jazan.

In a statement on the visit, Crown Prince Sultan said the King is keen on achieving development for all members of the Saudi society and in all parts of the kingdom as balanced development is a strategic goal of his government.

On the occasion of the visit during which the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is slated to inspect the armed forces in the three region, the Minister of Defense and Aviation conveyed to the monarch the greeting of all personnel of the ministry of defense and aviation and the armed forces in the regions of Najran , Assir and Jazan and all parts of the kingdom.

Crown Prince Sultan recalled that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has recently visited the northern, eastern, central and western regions of the kingdom before crowning his tour with the southern region.

He said the developmental projects the king was keen to open and supervise himself are yet another evidence of his keenness to become nearer to his people, solving their problems and caring for their welfare.

According to the King's balanced development plan, thousands of Saudi youth will be recruited to take part in implementing the plan, totally eradicating the unemployment problem, he said adding that job opportunities will be secured for Saudi youth steadily over the coming five years.

Human development and economic prosperity are the key to future, crown prince sultan said, adding that the promotion of human resources performance in all parts of the kingdom and in different sectors, including the armed forces, will be given priority in the king's plan.

On behalf of the personnel and officers of the armed forces, the Minister of Defense and Aviation conveyed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques the greetings, thanks and loyalty of the armed forces of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He said they do appreciate the royal order to appropriate additional budgets from the revenue surplus for armed forces expenses, including developmental projects over the coming five years.

The Crown Prince cited the building of residential units, military cities, military hospitals and relief efforts to provide humanity for needy people abroad.

On behalf of the armed forces' personnel and officers, the Crown Prince renewed the pledge of allegiance for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and their promise to keep a vigilant eye and a sharp sword in defense of the king, religion and achievements of the nation.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has graced the grand festival held by the people of Najran to mark his historic visit to their region. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has also attended the big event.

Upon arrival at the education stadium where the event was held, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was received by Prince Mishaal Bin Saud Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Najran region, and Prince Dr. Faisal Bin Mishaal Bin Saud Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Governor of Qassim region.

Cheering crowds who jammed the wide place greeted their king with hands' clapping and applauding, continuous chanting and singing and high banners of welcome. In response, the monarch was waving his both hands in salute.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor of Najran region, welcomed the visit of the king and promised that the years to ahead augur well.

In a speech before the crowd, King Abdullah greeted the people of Najran Region, wishing them good days.

He vowed that the government has never differentiated between two regions in the kingdom.

He lashed out at those who tried, but in vain, to wedge rifts between the government and people, dashing away rumours that some parts of the kingdom were neglected and thus less developed or underdeveloped.

He confirmed that ties between the ruler and the citizens were built on confidence, loyalty and Sharia law, wishing Najran people every success.

Finally, he promised the people of Najran region that the days ahead carry unprecedented projects of prosperity and progress.

To the pleasure of the king and the people, folkloric bands played several dances and traditional performances.

On behalf of the people of Najran region, a memorial gift was then presented by the Governor of Najran region to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. A similar gift was given away to Crown Prince Sultan.

The King and his Crown Prince then graced a dinner party held in their honor by the people of Najran region.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques then left the venue with cheers of jubilant people and sounds of drums.

The speech ceremony and dinner party were attended by Prince Bandar Bin Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman; Prince Faisal Bin Turki Bin Abdullah Al Saud; Prince Faisal Bin Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud; Prince Abdul Rahman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, Prince Miteb Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz; Prince Abdul-Ilah Bin Abdul Aziz; other princes, ministers and senior civil and military officials.

Before the visit, Prince Mishaal Bin Saud Bin Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Najran region, said the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz will lay the foundation stone for a number of development projects and will also inaugurate some service projects during his forthcoming visit to Najran .

He noted that the projects are to be implemented at a total cost of SR 3, 349 million.

Prince Mishaal highlighted the great attention being given by King Abdullah to the development projects.

In the last ten years, the Governor said projects worth more than SR 13 billion were implemented in Najran region.

Citing the projects which King Abdullah will lay their foundation stones, Prince Mishaal said they include the complex of the university colleges which will be implemented at a total cost of SR 600 million.

The colleges include a college of applied sciences, a college of computer and data systems.

King Abdullah will also lay a foundation stone for a project of bringing water from the empty quarter to Najran region at a cost of SR 400 million in addition to projects of the technical education at cost of more than SR 200 million. They include three vocational training institutes and a polytechnic institute for girls Prince Mishaal said.

On the other hand, King Abdullah will lay the foundation stone for health projects at a cost of SR 285 million. They include a 300-bed hospital, a health college, a center for diabetes, a primary care center in addition to a 50-bed hospital and 41 primary health care centers. King Abdullah will also lay the foundation stone for educational projects at a cost of SR 295 million.

The monarch will lay the foundation stone for the expansion project of Najran airport at a cost of SR 90 million.

Prince Mishaal Bin Saud said King Abdullah will also inaugurate electricity projects worth SR 95 million and educational projects amounting to SR 187 million.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz patronized the opening ceremony of a number of developmental and service projects in Najran region amounting to SR 3349 million.

The opening ceremony was attended by crown prince sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, deputy premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.

The projects belong to the ministries of higher education, water and electricity, labor, health and education and the general commission for civil aviation.

At the venue, King Abdullah was received Prince Mishaal Bin Saud Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Najran region, ministers, a number of officials and a large number of people.

Following the opening ceremony, King Abdullah laid the foundation stone for the university colleges complex's phase 1, which will cost SR 600 million. The project, a nuclear for a university city, consists of 15 colleges for boys and girls.

Then he laid the foundation stones of and inaugurated the projects belonging to the ministry of water and electricity.

As a sample, the King, Crown Prince Sultan and their companions were shown a presentation of a 125-kilometers long water pipeline supplying Najran region with water pumped from the heart of the empty quarter at a cost of SR 800 million.

Then he laid the foundation stones of and inaugurated the projects belonging to the ministry of labor.

The King, Crown Prince Sultan and the attendees were briefed on three vocational training institutes at a cost of more than SR 200 million in Sharourah, Yadmah and Najran . Also opened at the ceremony was Najran college of technology to be built at a cost of SR 95 million.

Then the King laid the foundations stones of and opened the projects belonging to the ministry of health.

Seen on the screen, the projects included a health services complex including a 200-bed general hospital, a health college for females, sugar care center, and elementary health care center. Moreover, 14 elementary health care centers will be distributed over several parts of the region. A 50-bed hospital will be established in Tabash province. The total cost of these projects was estimated at SR 285 million.

Then the King laid the foundations stones of and opened the projects belonging to the ministry of education.

The projects, shown in a visual tape, included the establishment of 62 schools for boys and 67 schools for girls at a total cost of SR 889 million.

Then the king laid the foundation stone for the expansion and development of Najran airport. He was briefed on the details of the project worth SR 90 million.

The King and Crown Prince Sultan each received a memorial gift from the Governor of Najran region to mark the occasion.

Then they toured the exhibition held on the fringes of the opening ceremony. It includes a replica of the university colleges complex in Najran and other replicas of educational, health, labor and electricity projects. The King also toured a pavilion of the Saudi Arabian Airlines.

The King instructed that the exhibition remains open for the public for one week.

The opening ceremony and the tour were attended by Prince Bandar Bin Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman; Prince Faisal Bin Turki Bin Abdullah Bin Saud; Prince Faisal Bin Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud; Prince Abdul Rahman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Abdul-Ilah Bin Abdul Aziz; other princes; ministers and senior civil and military officials.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has ordered the transfer of the recently-inaugurated university colleges complex in Najran to an independent university.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al-Anqari, the Minister of Higher Education, said the royal directive was given during the monarch's patronizing of the opening ceremony of number of developmental and service projects in Najran region.

The projects opened included a four-college university city in Najran.

The minister thanked the King and his Crown Prince for the care they extend to the education sector in the kingdom.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz received sheikhs, senior officials and citizens who came to greet him and congratulate him on his safe arrival in the region of Najran.

The audience was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.

During the audience, speeches were delivered by a number of dignitaries of Najran region welcoming the King and the Crown Prince to the region and highlighting the importance of the Saudi leaders' visit to the region and the king's pardon of prisoners.

Gifts were handed to the King and the Crown Prince on the occasion by a number of dignitaries of Najran region. All had lunch with the King.

The event was attended by a number of princes, ministers and senior officials.

On the other hand an official source of the Ministry of Interior said today that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has pardoned a number of those convicted in Najran incidents and those sentenced to serve terms in prison of the remaining periods of their verdicts and ordered their release, except those who were convicted to be killed for carrying arms, reducing their convicts to life imprisonment.

A prisoner in Najran, who earlier received 14 years in prison, was pardoned of the remaining period of his service and was set free, according to the source.

Minister of Labor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training Dr Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz will lay during his visit to Assir region foundation stone for a number of projects of training units at a total cost of more than SR 1 billion.

In a press statement Dr Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said the projects include four polytechnic colleges, three higher institutes for girls and 17 vocational training institutes.

The Visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to Najran region and his opening of vital projects there comes within his continuous care and follow up for the development of various parts of the Kingdom, according to Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Hussein.

As many as seventeen water and sewerage projects worth SR 490 million are currently under construction in Najran region, the Minister elaborated in a statement to Saudi Press Agency.

The minister pointed to the great development achieved in the electricity sector in Najran region, which registered a power generation capacity of 356 megawatts last year, showing a hike of 38.5 per cent than the year 2000.

Meanwhile the Under- Secretary of Najran region's governorate, Mohammed Bin Fahd Bin Suweilim has expressed happiness over the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to Najran region.

In a statement to SPA, he said the visit has provided a clear evidence of the great attention given by the monarch for the welfare of the citizens.

'Such a visit is not a strange thing as King Abdullah is known for his welfare and noble deeds. Moreover, he is King Abdullah of humanity who is keen on listening to the problems facing the citizens', the official said.

In Najran Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz received the mayor of Najran region Eng. Saad Fayez Al Shihri, head of the municipal council in the region of Najran Zaid Bin Shwail and members of the municipal council. The audience was attended by a number of princes.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz arrived in the region of Assir coming from the region of Najran as part of his tour of Assir region.

At Abha regional airport, he was received by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, Prince Khalid Al Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, the governor of Assir region, other princes, officials and citizens.

The King was accompanied by a number of princes. Earlier, the king left the region of Najran and was seen off at Najran airport by a number of princes and officials.

Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister Of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, arrived in Assir region coming from Najran.

At Abha regional airport, he was received by Prince Khalid Al Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, the governor of Assir region, other princes and officials.

The Crown Prince was accompanied by a number of princes.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz graced the grand festival held by Assir region's citizens celebrating his visit to the region.

The festival was attended by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, 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 Abdul Aziz, the governor of Assir region and Prince Faisal Bin Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz, Vice Governor of the region.

A speech ceremony was held on this occasion.

Addressing the festival, the Monarch expressed his pleasure over visiting Assir region. He praised its courageous men who stood by the founder of the kingdom late King Abdul Aziz (Mercy Be Upon Him) since he launched his historical movement to unify the kingdom under the banner of monotheism.

The Monarch said that Assir 's citizens have put down the best images of the process of construction and development, adding that their role along with the roles of their brothers in all the kingdom's regions have had an effective impact on the progress being witnessed by the kingdom.

Building nations does not stop at a certain stage, the King said and added that our past and present are a strong basis for our future.

Nations should not stand proud of present days only, but they should look at the future searching for a place in the vanguard where there is no room for the weak, he noted.

The King indicated that the kingdom has passed many challenges and enemies have tried to harm it, but their pursuit has been undermined by men's determination, strong will, sincerity and faithfulness.

Those men are the wealth of which we are proud. They are the ammunition on whom we depend after Almighty Allah. Assir has strongly proved that its a factory of making men such as other regions in the kingdom, the King said.

The Minister of Water and Electricity and Chairman of Board of Directors of Saline Water Conversion General Corporation Eng. Abdullah Bin Abdulrahman Al-Hussein has stressed the keenness of the state under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and the Crown Prince on all developmental projects in the kingdom's regions.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Minister said that the King will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for a number of water and electricity projects in Assir region whose costs of water and drainage system exceed SR 1.9 billion, adding that electricity projects cost more than SR 3 billion.

He noted that the projects include a dam, a processing station annexed to it; and transfer of water from a desalination station.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz is scheduled to lay the foundation stones and open a number of developmental projects worth more than seven billion Saudi riyals when he visits Jazan region soon, it was reported.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency to highlight the visit, Jazan region's governor Prince Mohammed Bin Nasser Bin Abdul Aziz said the projects include Al-Daihama residential project which will be financed by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz foundation for his parents for developmental housing.

More than 2604 beneficiaries will benefit from 372 residential units costing more than sr100 million, Prince Mohammed Bin Nasser Bin Abdul Aziz Said. Adding that King Abdullah is also slated to lay the foundation stone for municipal projects worth more than SR 2735 million.