King attends Gulf Security 1 final ceremony

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the Supreme Commander today attended the conclusion of the GCC joint-security exercise, Arabian Gulf Security 1, which started on October 27 in Bahrain. 

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister attended the final ceremony. HM the King was received on arrival at the venue of the ceremony by the Minister of Interior Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa, senior officials and officers. 

HM the King met Saudi Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, UAE Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Lt. Gen. Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Shaikh Mohammed Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Omani Interior Minister Humood bin Faisal Al-Bousaidi and the GCC Secretary-General Dr. Abdullatif Rashid Al-Zayani.

HM the King welcomed them all and thanked them for attending the major security gathering. They conveyed to HM the King greetings from the GCC leaders, wishing HM health and happiness and Bahrain further progress and prosperity. HM the King also extended greetings to the GCC leaders, wishing their countries further progress and prosperity. 

HM the King stressed deep-rooted historic relations and strong bonds linking the GCC countries on all levels, hailing the dedicated efforts of the interior ministers in assuming their duties to maintain security and stability and protect citizens' safety and preserve their rights. 

He expressed Bahrain's pride in hosting the GCC joint-security exercise, Arabian Gulf Security 1, and similar drills which play a crucial role in strengthening relations, bolstering joint ties, upgrading competencies and exchanging expertise. 

HM the King then headed to the main podium to attend the military parade and the royal anthem was played. Minister of Interior Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa, also commander of the security drill, delivered a speech, welcoming HM the King and other high-profile guests to the closing ceremony of the GCC security exercise, which started on October 27 and concluded today. 

Lt. Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa underscored the crucial importance of the drill that contributes to bolstering GCC coordination and lays the foundations for field security cooperation. 

"The joint drill consolidated confidence in the viability of collective work, bolstered the spirit of teamwork and highlighted the importance of security depth", Lt. Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa, stressing the necessity of building on the successful Arabian Gulf Security 1 to project a unified response to any attempt to subvert the security and stability of the GCC countries. 

HM the King thanked the officials for their great efforts in making the security exercise successful, wishing them many more successes in the future. He also lauded the great efforts and high efficiency of the participants throughout the various stages and which reflected their readiness, high coordination and cooperation. 

HM the King took pride in the fraternal and professional meeting between brethren in arms, hoping another exercise will take place in a GCC country soon. He paid tribute to all security personnel who are defending the nation. 

He congratulated the GCC interior ministers on the remarkable security achievement and expressed appreciation of their confidence in Bahrain's capabilities to host the first joint security exercise. 

HM the King lauded the outstanding efforts exerted by the Interior Minister and staff and their precise preparation, planning and execution of the exercise and which contributed to achieving its objectives, wishing them further successes. 

The GCC interior ministers expressed gratitude to HM the King for his keen interest in attending the exercise, which reflects his appreciation of the joint GCC security action and its role in maintaining GCC security and bolstering its progress.

They praised the organizational efforts and support of Bahrain's Interior Ministry and the directives of the Interior Minister, the exercise commander, on providing the support needed to ensure the success of the exercise.