Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Defense inaugurated Monday the headquarters of the Unified Military Command (UMC) in Riyadh, in the presence of Defense Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC).
Upon arrival at the venue, the Deputy Minister of Defense was received by GCC Secretary General Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf; Commander of the GCC Unified Military Command Lieutenant-General Eid bin Awad Al-Shalawi, and a number of senior officers of the UMC, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
In an inaugural speech, the Commander of the GCC Unified Military Command expressed thanks and appreciation of the GCC Ministers of Defense for honoring the occasion of inaugurating the new headquarters of the Unified Military Command, and extended congratulations to its staff on the success of the joint GCC defense work process.
Then, the elite defense leaders and senior officers were shown a presentation about the duties and tasks of the Unified Military Command, its affiliated units and the efforts exerted in this regard.
At the end of the ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Defense unveiled the commemorative plaque for the opening of the headquarters, with the Commander of the GCC Unified Military Command hoisting the flag of the Unified Military Command.
Then, a memorial photo session took place.
For his part, Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), extended thanks and appreciation of the GCC leaders for their continuous support and constant keenness to protect and preserve the blessed march of the GCC in all fields, on the occasion of the opening of the headquarters of the Unified Military Command (UMC) in Riyadh.
In a statement following the inaugural ceremony, the GCC Secretary General also thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and the Kingdom’s government for hosting the headquarters of the Unified Military Command, affirming that this opening comes as one of the most prominent military gains in the GCC march and a message of peace that builds for the future, and a message of determination to protect the GCC security, stability and gains in light of the existence a unified force of the GCC states consisting of air, land and sea forces as well as air defenses.
He GCC Secretary General further asserted that this unified command deals with the threats facing the region, adding that it is a deterrent to protect citizens and gains against any foreign threat trying to undermine the GCC security and stability.
Dr. Al-Hajraf expressed thanks and appreciation of the GCC Ministers of Defense and Chiefs of Staff for their keenness and support for the Unified Military Command for carrying out its role in preserving the GCC well-established entity in accordance with the directives of the GCC leaders, wishing the command's leadership, officers and personnel all success.
