Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat – The Saudi capital city Riyadh last night celebrated the return of Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Aviation and the Saudi Inspector General, after a journey for treatment that lasted more than a year. The ceremony was arranged by Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz, and was attended by a large public presence. Prominent figures also attended the celebration, including King Hamad Ibn Isa al Khalifah of Bahrain, and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri.

In his speech, Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz welcomed Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, and he also stressed that the Saudi armed forces are capable of protecting the country from any foreign aggression aimed at violating national sovereignty or violating Saudi territory.

Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz also announced that the security services had foiled more than two hundred terrorist attempts of targeting vital interests inside the country.

The Bahraini sovereign also took part in the traditional Saudi Arabian Ardha dance which was held to celebrate the return of Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz. Attendees [of the celebration] were invited to take part in the Ardha dance led by Prince Mitab Bin Abdulaziz and Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz. The Governor of Jeddah, Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz also participated in the Ardha dance.