DAMMAM: Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, has said that the language used by Iran “requires handling with prudence” while following the “orders and policies of the leadership”. Prince Khaled said that those policies are “always present in our minds solely to protect our people and our borders and our region”. “Thanks to Allah we have the wisdom in our leadership to work to counter dangers and maintain security, peace and stability in the Kingdom and the Middle East,” he said. On Iranian interference in the Gulf region, the Prince said that “everyone is in concert with the Kingdom”. “We have Saudi people equal before all, and prosperity is for everyone. Every country works for its own policies and history and the figures testify to the extent of economic prosperity and security and stability in each country based on its positions and policies.” Speaking at an inspection of Armed Forces units in the Eastern Province Tuesday, Prince Khaled said the Peninsula Shield Force was set up by the GCC and is “ready and available according to the request of Bahrain”. “The force defends the security and peace of Bahrain from any threat and is governed by clear regulations and internationally recognized laws,” he said. On the likelihood of the Shield Force setting up base in Bahrain, Prince Khaled said that the subject “should not be overstated”. “The situation is secure in every region of the Kingdom and Bahrain and also the Gulf generally, and the Saudi Armed Forces are only there to maintain the security of the Kingdom's sea, air and land borders, and that's what we bear in mind in carrying out this task to the letter and achieve security and stability in the region as a whole.” Prince Khaled also addressed disturbances in Yemen and their effect on attempts by individuals to enter the Kingdom's territory from its southern border by saying that he could “reassure everyone that our borders are safe”. “Our Armed Forces are in place at all times in support of the Border Guard and are maintaining security. We hope that Yemen would enjoy security and stability and could work towards all that secures the interest of the Yemeni people.” He denied any knowledge of a withdrawal of American forces from the rear lines in Libya and their transfer to the Gulf. “The Arab League has spoken on the situation in Libya and the Kingdom has a prominent position on it, and we hope to see security, stability and prosperity for every brotherly nation or country that is close to us,” he said.
