Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for the warm hospitality during his visit to the Kingdom to head the delegation of Kuwait at the proceedings of the 29th Summit of the Council of the League of Arab States at the summit Level, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

This came in a cable sent by the Emir of the State of Kuwait to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, praising the constructive decisions reached by the summit, which will enhance joint Arab action, serve the just causes of the Arab nation and contribute to achieving the goals and aspirations of the Arab countries.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah also expressed his pleasure for attending the closing ceremony and the military performances accompanying the Joint Exercise (Gulf Shield 1).

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz patronized on Monday the conclusion of the Joint Gulf Shield 1 military drills in the al-Jubail, in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia.

The leaders and representatives of 25 countries were present at the closing of the month-long exercise, the largest of its kind in the region in terms of number of forces and military equipment used.

King Salman, along with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, had received the leaders and representatives prior to the kick off of the closing drill.

In addition to the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, the included Bahraini King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Fayyadh bin Hamid Al-Rwaili delivered a speech on the occasion, thanking King Salman for sponsoring the closing ceremony.

He also noted that the Joint Gulf Shield 1 exercise is an extension of previous drills, such as the North Thunder Exercise.

He added that the strategic environment has become more complicated after the emergence of terrorism, a danger facing the entire world.

Realizing this threat, Saudi Arabia exerted great efforts to confront challenges by establishing the Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen, the Islamic Military Coalition to confront terrorism, Center of intellectual War and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief).

It has also been a constant supporter of UN humanitarian organizations, he stated.

King Salman and the attendees were then briefed on the drill’s site, including the coastal village field, modern village, Al-Khair I island, fishers harbor, industrial facility, Al-Khair II island and border guard center. The exercises then kicked off at the King’s signal.

The maneuvers included launching a counterattack on ballistic missiles platforms inside enemy boundaries, chasing naval speed boats and in economic waters, striking infiltrators into Al-Khair I and Al-Khair II islands and defending the country's border through a joint naval, army and air force.

A military parade then followed with the participation of 25 countries.

Afterwards, a luncheon banquet was held in honor of King Salman and his guests.

The ceremony was attended by a number of Princes, Ministers, senior officials and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Kingdom.