Hafr Al Batin: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani along with leaders and heads of delegations of the countries participating in Raad Al Shamal (North Thunder) drill attended the military parade, which was held at the King Khalid Military City in Hafr Al Batin region, north of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, yesterday.
Attending the event also were a number of princes, sheikhs, senior civilian and military officials.
The ceremony began with the inspection by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia on armed forces, and armies of all the participating countries. The parade started by symbolic ground forces units from infantry units, combat and special forces, armoured vehicles and military equipment, which were followed by troops. It also included air defence fighter aircraft squadrons, vertical planes show and shipping show of all the armies of the participating countries. Earlier, Emir, along with the leaders and heads of delegations participating in the final manoeuvre of Raad Al Shamal drill and the military parade, performed Friday prayers at King Khalid Military City, Hafr Al Batin region.
Emir attended a dinner banquet hosted by Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Saudi Arabia, at his camp here. King Salman, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and a number of Princes, Ministers and senior state officials attended the dinner banquet.
Emir also met here with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.They reviewed fraternal ties and ways of developing them for the benefit of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples, as well as a number of issues of mutual interest and regional and international issues.
Emir and the accompanying delegation were seen off at the King Saud Air Base eastern sector by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Qatar’s Ambassador Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer Al Thani. Emir in a cable to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, expressed his deep thanks and appreciation for the hospitality and warm reception accorded to him and the delegation during the visit. He praised the keenness of the King in promoting cooperation, coordination and unification of efforts between Arab and Islamic countries in order to maintain stability and security of peoples.
Emir also sent cables to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defence Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for the warm reception and hospitality.QNA
