Saudi Arabia celebrates on Monday its 89th national day, marking when founder King Abdul bin Abulrahman al-Saud declared the unification of the country, naming it the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. After a 32-year struggle, the unification set in place the foundations of the country, which has become, under Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, a major player on the international scene. Several world leaders congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, on the occasion. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed underscored the strong historic relations and strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. “We have a united vision on current and future challenges. We operate according to the inevitability of standing together united to protect the security and stability of the region and confront the dangers and threats against it,” he tweeted. Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi hailed the major efforts Saudi Arabia is exerting towards his country, saying it has constantly supported the people of Yemen as part of the Arab coalition. “We are proud of the massive sacrifices the Kingdom has presented to Yemen, its land and people,” he added. “These sacrifices represent the united identity, goal and fate that bind us.” He stressed that Yemen will remain an unwavering ally to Saudi Arabia against challenges, most notably Iranian efforts aimed at destabilizing the Kingdom. US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia John Abizaid said the occasion marks the strength of relations between Riyadh and Washington. These ties were bolstered to achieve joint economic and political goals. The relations, he remarked, are better than ever. The two countries have supported each other over the decades and Washington looks forward to many more years of fruitful partnership to come in the future, he added. Arab rulers, including Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah sent cables of congratulations to the Saudi leaders on the occasion of national day.