US ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ford M. Fraker, on behalf of the American people, has congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and the Saudi people on the occasion of the Kingdom's national day, which falls on September 23. Speaking on the occasion, the ambassador highlighted the existing deep-rooted relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and his country, and said these relations are strong and they are based on the principles of mutual respect and interests. 'The Saudi-American friendship is based on confidence and joint understanding and dates back to the meeting of US President Franklin Roosevelt with King Abdulaziz in 1945' he said, adding that these relations are between two great countries and "these are durable, deep-rooted and becoming stronger day after day." Noting the joint attention to enhancing the pillars of security, welfare and sustainable development for the region, Fraker said 'we stand side by side of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the countries of the region opposing the ideology of Al-Qaeda and its tactics, and combating extremism in all its forms, and we work together for a brighter future for the nations of our countries." The ambassador lauded the efforts of the Kingdom under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to enable the youth develop their skills, and to offer new scholarships to enable the youth study abroad for gaining knowledge and ensuring development as well as living in coexistence with other cultures. Highlighting the existing cooperation between his country and the Kingdom in the educational sphere, the ambassador said the American people become happy when they find an opportunity to get acquainted with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people. Fraker believes that the program of King Abdullah of scholarships will benefit the K kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the new generation, and will realize more progress for the country.
