Riyadh marks border guards centenary

On behalf of Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmed on Saturday kicked off celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Border Guards at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.
Following the inauguration ceremony, Prince Ahmed said the Border Guards had witnessed enormous development.
Substantial resources were allocated to the guards to protect the sea and land borders of the Kingdom from smugglers or infiltrators, he said.
He said the group organized lectures, workshops, and invited experts to such events to discuss issues aimed at the development of border security.
Discussing piracy and ship hijackings, Prince Ahmed said they were an international problem and occurs in distant seas, albeit rarely. There is an international alliance to fight piracy and Saudi Arabia is part of that alliance, he said.
On nuclear facilities and danger of contamination, he said such facilities pose risks everywhere and the Kingdom was not an exception.
Commenting on the appearance of a video featuring Abdullah Al-Khalidi, the Saudi diplomat kidnapped in Yemen, Prince Ahmed expressed hope for the hostage’s safe return.
Discussing how to describe the Saudi-Iraqi border, he said it should be called a security fence and but it was not a description meant to undermine relations between the two countries. It is designed to maintain security and minimize smuggling, he said.
On the joint cooperation between the National Guards and Defense Ministry in Tabuk region and whether the Interior Ministry units will join such initiatives, he said coordination was possible.
Addressing the ceremony, Commander of the Border Guards Gen. Zamim bin Juwaibir Al-Suwat said the renaissance of his organization came through due and sincere support from the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
He lauded the key role played by the country’s founder King Abdul Aziz in establishing and supporting the Border Guards.
The ceremony was also addressed by Secretary-General of the Arab Council of Interior Ministers Dr. Muhammed Ali Kuman, who stressed the importance and role of border security forces in ensuring the safety of countries and their people.
He said such conferences facilitate the exchange of expertise and topics concerned with border issues.
Commenting on the celebrations, Rear Adm. Awwad Eid Al-Balawi, assistant commander of border security forces for maritime affairs and the supervisor of the celebrations, said the occasion honored King Abdul Aziz’s efforts and care toward the security and stability of the Kingdom.
The event, which will run until June 7 aims to raise awareness among citizens and residents about the role undertaken by the Border Guards in ensuring the security and stability of the country, he said.
During the last 100 years, the border security sector witnessed enormous developments in terms of missions and capabilities and is currently equipped with the latest technologies to cope with security requirements, he said.
The celebrations will include a series of functions covering cultural activities, workshops, military parades, lectures, entertainment, folklore, safety and drugs awareness. Part of the event will be dedicated to women and children, with prizes distributed to those with a talent in drawing and other games.
Local and foreign experts will also present papers dealing with topics related to border security issues such as border protection and surveillance, anti-smuggling techniques, international borders and globalization, international organizations and national sovereignty, and the history of Saudi border security. Translation services will be provided for workshops or presented papers.
Meanwhile, special mention was made of martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the security of the Kingdom.