Bahrain’s King and Supreme Commander HRH Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa (far left) attended Wednesday the conclusion of the GCC joint-security exercise, Arabian Gulf Security 1, which started on October 27 in Bahrain.

HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister also attended the final ceremony, according to Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

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

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

King Hamad stressed the 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.

The King then headed to the main podium to attend the military parade and the royal anthem was played. Minister of Interior Lieutenant-General Sheikh 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. Sheikh 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”, he said 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.

King Hamad 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.

He 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.

He also lauded the outstanding efforts exerted by Bahrain’s Interior Minister and staff and their precise preparation, planning and execution of the exercise.

The GCC Interior Ministers expressed gratitude to King Hamad for his 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.