Najran, Saudi Arabia, Asharq Al Awsat – The people of Najran organized and attended, Tuesday, a grand celebration on the occasion of King Abdullah’s visit to the province. Held in the Ministry of Education’s court, the event was attended by over 20,000 citizens. During the King’s speech, he referred to the historic covenant, which was stated by the founder King Abdulaziz, in which he described all citizens of Najran as heroes, and said, “King Abdulaziz has respected his covenant with you, and so have you.” He added, “Since then, the citizens of Najran have always been the strength behind the province of Najran.”

An official source in the Ministry of Interior confirmed that King Abdullah issued orders to pardon a number of prisoners who had been convicted in Najran from serving the rest of their sentences, ordaining their release – with the exception of, “those who were armed and sentenced to death. They have been reprieved to receive a milder sentence based on the monarchical decree.” He has also pardoned a prisoner who had been sentenced to 14 years, and released him at his behest.

King Abdullah’s tour of the Jizan, Najran and Asir provinces commenced yesterday. Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz commented on the occasion by saying that the strategic objective of this tour is the balanced development of all regions of Saudi Arabia, underlining efforts to eradicate unemployment among the Saudi youth.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz emphasized that the state does not discriminate between any regions or give preference to one region over another and equates between all citizens. He declared that anyone who has tried to come between the state and its citizens has invariably failed and that this will always be the case in the future.