His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah greets National Guard officers, in presence of Kuwait National Guard’s Chief His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah greets National Guard officers, in presence of Kuwait National Guard’s Chief His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said Tuesday the critical period being undergone by the Arab region require the National Guard personnel to double their efforts and remain vigilant.

"I am fully confident that you are aware of the turmoil in our region that require you as officers and soldiers to be wary on any mischief-makers who might attempt to tamper with the security of the country and the citizens," he said.

His Highness the Amir made the comments during his visit to the presidency of Kuwait National Guard on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. He was accompanied by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

They were warmly welcomed by the National Guard's Chief His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Vice chief Sheikh Mashal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Undersecretary Lieutenant General Staff Hashem Abdulrazzaq Al-Rifa'i as well as other senior officers.

His Highness the Amir commended the National Guard as the first partner of the Armed Forces, saying: "You have an honorable record of professionalism and patriotism. The achievements you have made deservedly earned you the respect of everybody."

He also praised the efforts being made by president and vice president of the National Guard to enhance the preparedness of the National Guard through training programs and field drills as well as acquisition of the latest military equipment.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary of the National Guard Lt Gen Staff Hashem Al-Rifa'i expressed, on behalf of the National Guard officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers, the Ramadan greetings and best wishes for His Highness the Amir.

He thanked His Highness the Amir for maintaining this kind tradition of visiting the National Guard in the holy month of Ramadan and for inaugurating the new headquarters of the National Guard Presidency.

"This inspiring annual tradition and your wise instructions give impetus to the leaders and personnel of the National Guard to pursue the march of giving, allegiance and self-sacrifice for the homeland," he said.

Wise leadership

Lt Gen Staff Al-Rifa'i attributed the achievements made by the National Guard in protecting the security of the country to the wise instructions and leadership of His Highness the Amir, pledging to do more for the sake of the homeland.

He cited the following "three gigantic projects" which have been implemented by the National Guard; first, the helicopter project; second, the comprehensive command and control project; and third, the chemical defense and radiation observatory system.

He added that the National Guard will continue to play its strategic role in responding to any emergency in collaboration with other key state institutions, noting that the National Guard opened channels of security cooperation with several friendly countries in terms of training programs and visit exchanges. During His Highness the Amir's visit a documentary entitled "Esnad" (support) was screened to show the facilities and services of the new headquarters of the National Guard.

His Highness the Amir was accompanied by Minister of Amiri Diwan Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Amir's Chief of Staff Ahmad Fahad Al-Fahad, Head of the Amiri protocols Sheikh Khaled Abdullah Al-Sabah, Undersecretary of Highness the Crown Prince's Diwan Sheikh Mubarak Faisal Al-Sabah and head of the Media and Cultural Affairs at the Amiri Diwan Yusuf Al-Roumi. - KUNA