November 10, 2006

THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES LAUNCHES A NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AT A COST OF SR 18 BILLION. KING ABDULLAH: THE KINGDOM HAS PASSED MANY CHALLENGES AND ENEMIES HAVE TRIED TO HARM IT, BUT THEIR PURSUIT HAS BEEN UNDERMINED BY DETERMINATION, AND BUILDING NATIONS DOES NOT STOP AT A CERTAIN STAGE, OUR PAST AND PRESENT ARE A STRONG BASIS FOR OUR FUTURE. THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES WITH THE CROWN PRINCE INSPECTS THE ARMED FORCES AND PATRONIZES A MILITARY PARADE ORGANIZED BY THE COMMAND OF THE SOUTHERN FORCES. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz arrived in the region of Asir coming from the region of Najran as part of his tour of Asir region. At Abha regional airport, he was received by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Asir region, other princes, officials and citizens. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz was accompanied by a number of princes. Earlier, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques left the region of Najran and was seen off at Najran airport by a number of princes and officials. Dr. Khalaid Al-Mirghalani, spokesman of the Health Ministry, said the new health city in Asir would have a 200-bed mental hospital with a center to treat drug addicts, a health science college and a diabetes center in the first phase of the project. This is King Abdullah's first visit to Asir after his ascension to the throne in August 2005. Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal welcomed the king on behalf of the people of Asir. "King Abdullah has come to meet the people of the region, listen to them and understand their needs," he said. During his three-day visit, the king inaugurated a number of major educational and medical projects. He also inspected King Faisal Military City and inspect a military parade. Labor Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said the king laid the cornerstone for a number of vocational training projects that would cost more than SR1 billion. These include four technical colleges, three higher technical institutes for girls and 17 training institutes. Speaking about health projects, Al-Mirghalani said the king opened seven hospitals with a total of 550 beds. Located in Khamis Mushayt, Mahayel, Al-Farsha, Al-Muda, Al-Harja, Ballahmar and Wadi Tarj, the hospitals were established at a cost of SR365.6 million. "Apart from the health city that covers an area of 1.5 million square meters, the king also laid the cornerstone for a 200-bed Abha General Hospital (which is to cost SR100 million) and a 300-bed hospital in Khamis Mushayt (SR150 million)," the spokesman said. Education received a big boost during the royal visit with the king inaugurating a number of projects worth SR237 million. Ali Muhammad Al-Moussa, director of girls education in the region, said the king laid the foundation for three school complexes and 20 new schools of different levels. He also opened 12 schools and eight school complexes in various parts of the region. People of Asir are happy at the royal visit. Ibrahim Talie, a writer, said King Abdullah is the first king to visit the region after the death of King Khalaid. Muhammad Al-Almaie, a member of Abha Literary Club, said the king's visit would contribute to balanced development of all regions. "King Abdullah's inauguration of number of projects in the north of the Kingdom and now in the south is a clear indication that the king is giving importance to every region based on its economic, cultural, environmental and social potentials," Al-Almaie said. "The king is sending a message that there is no distinction between regions," he added. Muhammad Asiri said the king's visit to Asir would be remembered by the people of the region fondly. "The visit shows his desire to meet with citizens and to familiarize himself with their situation and to open a number of projects that will improve their lives," he said. "King Abdullah is like a father to all of us. A man who loves his people. His arrival here has brought joy to us and we are eager to meet him," Asiri said. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz graced the grand festival held by Asir 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 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was received by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, the governor of Asir 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 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed his pleasure over visiting Asir 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 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said that Asir'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, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz 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 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques 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. Asir has strongly proved that its a factory of making men such as other regions in the kingdom, the king said. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz patronized the inauguration ceremony and laying foundation stones of a number of developmental projects in Asir region. The 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 Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs; General Organization of Technical Education and Vocational Training (an Affiliate of the Ministry of Labor); Ministry of Higher Education; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Water and Electricity and Ministry of Social Affairs. Upon arrival at the venue, King Abdullah was received by Prince Khalaid Al-Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, the governor of Asir region and Prince Faisal Bin Khalaid Bin Abdul Aziz, Vice Governor of the region. The king also gave permission to launch 26 training projects at a cost of more than SR 1.343 billion; to lay foundation stone of 22 projects of university projects at a cost of SR 2.5 billion; to lay foundation stone of 372 projects of the ministry of education worth more than SR 970 million; to lay foundation stone of medical projects of the ministry of health at a cost of more than SR 1 billion; to inaugurate and lay foundation stone of water and electricity projects stand at more than 2.4 billion; to inaugurate a fishing project of the ministry of social affairs; to lay foundation stone of Abha national university and city of 1000 factories of the private sector; and to lay foundation stone of development project of center of Abha city. Shedding light on the new projects, speeches were delivered by Prince Khalaid Al-Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, the governor of Asir region and Chairman of the region's council; Minister of Labor and Chairman of board of General Organization of Technical Education and Vocational Training Dr. Ghazi Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Gosaibi; Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khalaid Bin Mohammed Al-Anqari; Minister of Education Dr. Abdullah Bin Saleh Al-Obaid; Minister of health Dr. Hamad Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Manie; Minister Of Water And Electricity Eng. Abdullah Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Hussein; and Minister of Social Affairs Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Akkas. In his speech, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz thanked the Crown Prince for laying the foundation stone of King Faisal Military City which he described as the first great and important project in Asir region. The ceremony was attended by a number of princes, ministers and senior officials. On the second day of his visit to the region, his first after ascending to the throne in August 2005, King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz hosted a luncheon in honor of the people of Asir at Al-Faraa Palace where he received prominent Islamic scholars, senior civilian and military officers and a large number of citizens. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques laid the foundation for the first phase of the King Khalaid University Campus in Abha, which is to cost SR2.5 billion. The project includes colleges of medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, applied sciences, computer science and information systems, engineering, Shariah, Usuluddin, languages and translation, and a 400-bed university hospital. The king also launched two key projects: Abha Private University with eight colleges and an industrial city for 1,000 factories. He also laid the foundation stone for another project for the development of central Abha. Other projects launched by the king were: 16 municipality projects (SR292 million), 26 manpower training projects (SR1.34 billion) and 372 schools (SR970 million). The king also laid the foundation of a new health city, which will have a 200-bed mental hospital with a center to treat drug addicts, a health science college and a diabetes center. He also opened seven hospitals with a total of 550 beds. As part of the government's efforts to support the poor and help them achieve self-reliance, the Social Affairs Ministry has established a fishing program in Qahma by providing fishermen with boats and other equipment. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques launched plans to carry out 23 similar projects for the poor living on the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts. Addressing a popular reception held in his honor by the people of Asir at the Prince Sultan Sports City in Mahala, King Abdullah urged Saudis to work hard to strengthen the country's position in the community of nations. "We have to look to the future with confidence, seeking a leading position in the world where there is no place for the weak," the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as telling the crowd. King Abdullah also emphasized that Saudi Arabia would be able to confront all the challenges with the determination of its people. "We are proud of these men who are the resources and the reservoir that we rely on after God, the Almighty," he said while commending the role of the people of Asir in the Kingdom's unification under King Abdul Aziz. At the sports city, 25,000 people had gathered to welcome the king. Those who could not get a place inside lined the street outside just to get a glimpse of the king. Everyone was in a festive mood and sang patriotic songs while waiting for the arrival of the king and his entourage. Folk dance troupes from Khamis Mushayt, Abha, Mahayel, Majarda, Dhahran Al-Janoub, Tathleeth, Bisha, Nimas, Tanooma and Bil Asmer clad in traditional colorful dresses performed to entertain the king and the gathering. The troupes comprised people of all age groups. Ali Aseeri, a teacher who came with his three young sons dressed in traditional attire, told Arab News the king's visit would boost the development of the region in education and health and would create more employment for Saudis. Ali Saad Asmari described King Abdullah as a humane king. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz inaugurated a number of projects for girls education during his visit to Asir region. The cost of these projects is over SR 237, 753, 265, which included a building for girls education administration, 12 complexes and 33 schools. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency, the Director General For Girls Education in Asir region, Dr. Ali Bin Mohammed Al-Musa said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques will lay the foundation stone for the girls education administration with the cost of SR 25, 000, 000. "The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques laid the foundation stone for three educational complexes in Abha and Khamees Mushait with the cost of SR 16,334, 239", Al-Musa said. Al-Musa also said that these projects will have positive reflections on the progress of the educational processes in Asir region. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz who is also the Supreme Commander of all armed forces, patronized a military parade to be organized by branches of armed forces in the southern region. The parade will also be attended by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Chief of General Staff General Saleh Bin Ali Al-Mohayya expressed his thanks to and appreciation of the Monarch and the Crown Prince for their unlimited support for the armed forces which enabled them to occupy an advanced and remarkable position among advanced nations. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz patronized a military parade organized by the command of the southern region. The King was welcomed at the venue of the military parade by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, a number of princes and high-ranking officials. Speaking on the occasion, King Abdullah highlighted the significant role of the armed forces in the service of the country. 'You are the sons and grandsons of the brave men who had fought for the unification of this country under the leadership of King Abdul Aziz', he said, adding "it is our duty to hold high the banner of Islam." 'You can shoulder your responsibility towards your country's security through dependence on Almighty Allah and strong will power ' said the king noting that ' I am proud of you because you are the country's stronghold'. "I would like to salute martyrs of duty who sacrificed their lives while facing the deviant group, and I would like to say that your sacrifice will never be forgotten and I would like to tell their relatives that you are our sons and we will never forget your rights," King Abdullah noted. King Abdullah commended the bravery displayed by Saudi security forces in defeating Al-Qaeda militants and pledged support for the relatives of officers martyred fighting terrorists. "Let me applaud the heroism showed by our sons who were martyred while confronting the deviant group. Their sacrifices will be in the nation's memory forever," Abdullah told the armed forces and security officers. The king reassured the martyrs' relatives their rights would be protected. "We tell their kith and kin that we will not forget your rights. You are our sons and daughters and you will receive from us all care and support," the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as saying. He also noted the remarkable role being played by the armed forces in defending the Kingdom, its people and its religion and sanctities. "Our brave armed forces are the heirs of nobility, pride, history and heroism. You are the sons and grandsons of men who gave unwavering support to King Abdul Aziz in the Kingdom's unification," the king said while reminding the armed forces of their duty in protecting the Kingdom from enemies. Apart from the military parade by the various wings of the armed forces, F-15 fighter pilots displayed their skills in an air show. The fighters created a formation 1,000 to denote the traditional Asiri welcome of "Marhaban Alf" (a thousand welcomes). Advanced military planes such as Apaches, Desert Falcons and reconnaissance planes joined the show that also featured freestyle parachuting by experts from naval forces. The Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz received at his residence in Abha the chairman of Asir region municipal council Dr. Saad Bin Hussein Bin Othman, Asir region's mayor Hamdan Fares Al-Osaimi and members of the region's municipal council. During the meeting, Dr. Othman thanked the king for receiving them, wishing him continuous health and happiness. On his part, the monarch praised the good conduct of the people of Asir region, wishing them good days. The meeting was attended by Prince Abdul Rahman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Mit'eb Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Abdul-Ilah Bin Abdul Aziz; and Prince Miqren Bin Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and inspector general, left Abha for Jazan region. He was seen off at Abha regional airport by Prince Khalaid Al-Faisal, the governor of Asir region, a number of princes and senior officials. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has expressed his thanks to Prince Mishaal Bin Saud Bin Abdul Aziz, the governor of Najran region and all its citizens for their sincere feelings, warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him during his visit to the region to inaugurate a number of developmental projects. In a reply cable of thanks, the king expressed his great pleasure to meet citizens, inspect their situations and closely sense the region's needs, praying to Almighty Allah to perpetuate the kingdom's security and prosperity and crown his efforts with success for the interest and glory of the kingdom. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation And Inspector General has expressed his thanks to Prince Mishaal Bin Saud Bin Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Najran region and all its citizens for their sincere feelings, warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to them during the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to the region to inaugurate a number of developmental projects. In a reply cable of thanks, the crown prince said, we prayed to Almighty Allah to crown our efforts with success for the interest, glory, security and prosperity of the kingdom and its people.