His Highness the Amir and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on Monday, patronized and attended, with presence of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani (of Qatar), graduation ceremony of the 19th batch of university-level officers and the 42nd group of non-commissioned officers at Ali Al-Sabah Military Academy.
His Highness the Amir distributed awards to students of top grades and profound performance during the broad ceremony, then the students' commander, Major Abdulrahman Fahad Al-Selahi recited the graduation legal oath.
His Highness proceeded to the Amiri Hall, where he was greeted by officers who presented him, as well as to His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, with memorial awards.
The ceremony got started with the National Anthem, then Koranic recitation, a military parade, followed by the National Flag handover between officers of the 42nd and 43rd batches, then the graduated officers lined up in the ceremony's main yard.
His Highness the Amir's motorcade was warmly greeted upon arrival at the ceremony venue by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Jarrah Al-Sabah, Chief of the Kuwaiti Army General Staff Lieutenant General Mohammad Khaled Al-Kheder, Defense Undersecretary Jassar Abdulrazzak Al-Jassar, Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sheikh Abdullah Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the academy head Brigadier Mohammad Ahmad Al-Kheder, members of the Military Defense Council and academy chiefs.
It was attended by His Highness the Crown Prince, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim, the Parliament former speaker Jassem Al-Kharafi, senior sheikhs, Deputy Chief of the National Guards Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Amiri Diwan Affairs Minister Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, senior State officials, a large number of commissioned officers and citizens.
The academy chief, Brig. Mohammad Ahmad Al-Kheder, after the National Anthem, addressed the ceremony starting with tribute to Their Highnesses the Amir and the Crown Prince and the other senior leaders, saying the officers have graduated, armed with knowledge, faith, confidence, faithfulness to His Almighty Allah, the homeland and His Highness the Amir. "Now they are ready to join the brave army, ready to sacrifice their souls in defense of the homeland and its dear soil and the wise leadership." He hailed His Highness the Amir for being granted the UN title, "Humanitarian Leader." "This is a title on our chests all; people and army," said Brig. Al-Kheder, indicating that the academy has modified its curriculum, with consideration to various "external challenges." Brig. Al-Kheder praised the leading staff of the faculty, which has hosted students from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Turning to the graduates, he urged them to safeguard the country and remain faithful to Kuwait and His Highness the Amir.
"Maintain your allegiance to His Highness the Amir, disregarding any tribal or sectarian affiliations; be always ready for sacrifices to protect security of the State of Kuwait and sanctity of its territories." He called on the graduates to abide by guidelines of His Highness the Amir, seek to sharpen their military and academic skills and renewed the pledge to the top leaders to enhance the academy level higher.