On our 84th National Day (Hijri calendar), we recall the development of the Kingdom since reunification. The Kingdom has gone from a disparate array of acrimonious and divided tribes to a united country in which approximately 30 million find security, stability and the benefits of a thriving economy.

Under the leadership of King Abdulaziz and his sons, King Saud, King Faisal, King Khalid, King Fahd, and the current leader of the Kingdom, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah, the Kingdom has transformed an undeveloped area of desert and created a modern, developed society from scratch in less than a century.

Today, the Kingdom offers a highly developed infrastructure to support economic growth and investment, free public education and health care systems for all citizens, world class research and an extensive social services programme.

The Government under the prudent and wise leadership of King Abdullah, is dedicated to building a society based on the true teachings of Islam, whilst also confronting the forces of radical hatred and division.

With its consistent political stability, abundant energy reserves, and important position in the world, and guided by a foreign policy that focuses on Arab unity, Islamic solidarity and peaceful coexistence, Saudi Arabia is a strong advocate of peace, security and constructive cooperation throughout the world.