Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs, held a party here this evening in honor of retiring Chief of Staff General Saleh bin Ali Al-Mohayya. Addressing the gathering, Al-Mohayya thanked Prince Khalid bin Sultan for the prestigious recognition of his 50-year service in the armed forces. He extended thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, for their support for him during his long-serving tenure. For his part, Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz gave an account on the rich personal and national achievements of the retired general, paying tribute to his contribution to the victories of his country in two regional wars. Then Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz handed over a thanking letter from Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz to retired General Al-Mohayya together with a memorial gift. Answering questions of reporters following the event, Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz reassured that the current joint exercise with Turkish forces is yet another sign of the Saudi preparedness to defend the country, noting that it was also a continuation to the Saudi armed forces endeavor to hold joint exercises with foreign countries' armed forces, citing the U.S., France, and Britain. Asked on the expansion plans of the Military Colleges, he said "need always determines the number of new recruits which is determined by the Higher Officers Committee". The event was attended by armed forces senior officers.
