Riyadh, Nov 30 (Arab News): Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on the success of the recently concluded Haj, and for enabling foreign and domestic pilgrims to worship in total safety and comfort.

The crown prince, who chaired the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday, reassured the council about the king’s excellent health, Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the meeting.

"Under the directives of King Abdullah and with the monitoring of Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Prince Naif, all branches of the government machinery fully cooperated to implement the security, preventive, organizational and service plans for Haj to achieve the highest security, safety and comfort for the guests of the Merciful," the crown prince said.

Speaking about the king’s health, he said: "The king is enjoying excellent health and the surgery he has undergone, thank Allah, has been successful."

The council also expressed satisfaction at the achievements of the security authorities in foiling terror plots before their execution. "The security authorities have succeeded in thwarting the efforts of a foreign-based terror organization to gain a foothold in the Kingdom to exploit the Haj and Umrah season," the crown prince said.

The council reiterated, on the occasion of the World Day of Solidarity with Palestinians, which falls on Nov. 29, the unflinching Saudi support for the Palestinians at all levels as the Kingdom has been doing since the time of King Abdul Aziz.