This Day in History (1977): Citizens cheer, His Majesty Visits Eastern Province

From the May 25, 1977, edition of The Arabian Sun

His Majesty King Khalid ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Abd ar-Rahman Al Sa'ud arrived at Dhahran International Airport last Sunday, May 22, to begin a four-day visit to the Eastern Province. Crowds were on hand to welcome the monarch as he disembarked from the aircraft that brought him from Riyadh.

His Majesty was accompanied by a royal entourage headed by HRH Amir 'Abd Allah ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, Second Vice President of the Council of Ministers and head of the National Guard. HH Amir 'Abd al-Mushin ibn Jiluwi, Governor of the Eastern Province, led the official welcoming delegation at the airport ceremonies, and he was host for a banquet presented in the King's honor that evening at the Amirate in Dammam.

Heading the dignitaries present at the banquet were HH Amir Muhammad ibn Sa'ud al-Kabir and HRH Amir Sultan ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, Minister of Defense and Aviation. Amir Sultan had arrived a day before the King in order to review final preparations for the royal visit.

On Monday, His Majesty held open majlis at the 'Adamah Palace in Dammam in the morning, and in the evening he was honored by a dinner given on behalf of the citizens of the Eastern Province at the al-Gosaibi Hotel in al-Khobar.

The King will return to Riyadh today or tomorrow at the conclusion of his visit to the Eastern Province.

Caption for top photo: His Majesty King Khalid is joined by members of the Royal Family as he leaves the airport for Dammam.

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