Emir attends military parade in Saudi Arabia

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, along with leaders and heads of delegations of the countries participating in Raad Al-Shamal (Northern Thunder) drills, attended  a military parade which was held at the King Khalid Military City in the Hafr Al-Batin region, northern Saudi Arabia, yesterday afternoon.
The parade that marked the end of the  North Thunder military drills that brought together armed forces from 20 Arab and Islamic countries.
The parade began with the ceremonial inspection by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, of the armed forces of all participating countries.
The parade included a show of force from all the participating armies, marched by with soldiers, Humvees and tanks in toe.
The Emir later attended a  luncheon hosted by the Saudi king in honour of leaders and heads of delegations of  states participating in the military parade.
The banquet was attended by Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Mohamed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prince Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and  a number of princes, sheikhs, ministers and senior officials.
Earlier, HH the 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.
Also yesterday, HH the Emir met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
During the meeting,  the Emir and the Abu Dhabi crown prince reviewed fraternal ties  between the two countries and ways to develop them. A number of issues of mutual interest and regional and international issues were also reviewed.
The meeting was attended members of the delegations accompanying the Emir and the crown prince.   
The Emir left  the Hafr Al-Batin region for Doha  yesterday  evening. The Emir and  the  accompanying delegation were seen off at  the King Saud Air Base eastern sector by  Crown Prince Mohamed bin Nayef and Qatar ambassador Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer al-Thani.
The Emir sent a cable to  King Salman, expressing “deep thanks and appreciation for the hospitality and warm reception, which was accorded to him and  the  accompanying delegation during his visit to the kingdom”.
He praised  the keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on promoting  co-operation, co-ordination and unification of efforts between Arab and Islamic countries in order to maintain  stability and security of their people.
He also  sent  cables of thanks to  Crown  Prince Mohamed bin Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman for the warm reception and hospitality