The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz received at the Royal Court at Alsalam Palace in Jeddah today the chairman and members of the Shoura Council who came to greet and congratulate him on assuming office as the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz as his Crown Prince.
After all the members shook hands with the King, Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Alginaibet was sworn in as new member of the Council.
In a key address, the Chairman of the Shoura Council, Dr. Salih bin Abdullah bin Homaid, lauded the smooth transfer of power following the sad demise of the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, noting that the entire population of Saudi Arabia paid homage to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz as King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz as his Crown Prince.
Bin Homaid lauded the King's latest decision to pardon members of deviant group who repent after realizing the wrong path they have taken, hoping that this will lead to repentance by other members of the deviant group.
The Chairman of the Shoura Council also hailed the King's instructions to complete the expansion projects of the Prophet's Mosque.
He said the recent royal orders to increase the salaries of civil and military government personnel, as well as the retired, has come in time to help alleviate the sufferings of needy people and push the growth of the economy further forward. He also lauded the royal instructions to augment the budgets of several governmental bodies directly related to the standard of living.
Bin Homaid conveyed the thanks and appreciation of the Shoura members for the royal confidence bestowed on them as representatives of their people.
He paid tribute to the role of the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz in reforming and updating the Shoura Council more than 12 years ago, reminding that the late King's address at the opening ceremony of the Shoura Council's third year was considered a working plan for all executive bodies.
Bin Homaid lauded the role of King Abdullah in the process of comprehensive reforms and innovation of all the state's establishments and sectors.
He said such achievements stood firm in the face of terrorist attacks which were defeated by security authorities, led by Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior.
Addressing the gathering, King Abdullah thanked the chairman and members of the Shoura Council for coming to greet him, confirming to them that they were the real representatives of the people of Saudi Arabia.
He said the Kingdom is following the right and correct path which follows the instructions of Almighty Allah and the sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
He described the security situation in the Kingdom as calm and stable, vowing that his country will continue to serve the Islamic world and the entire world.
He said that the values of the Saudi people, and not force, will lead the Islamic and non-Islamic worlds.
He concluded that no power is favoured by the Kingdom, except Allah Almighty to "whom we bow and worship for ever".
The audience was attended by Prince Bandar bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz and senior protocol officials.
