In a similar message, Chief of the UAE Naval forces, Admiral Ahmed Mohammed Al Thenaiji,noted that besides protecting and safeguarding the integrity and sovereignty of the country, the navy also played important roles in rescue operations during natural disasters which took place at different parts of the world. He also recalled the protection the UAE navy gave to Kuwait during Gulf war. In his message, Commander of the land forces, Major General Ali Mohammed Subaih Al Kaabi said that UAE's army has become a powerful force to be reckoned with in the region during a short period of three decades. "Its vigilance in safeguarding the country gave the nation the time to attend to the development in various fields," he added. Similar messages were also sent by chief of logistics of the UAE armed forces, General Obaid Al Katbi, Military Operations chief General Mubarak Salem Al Khuyaily, Chief of Emiri Guard General Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy chief of Staff General Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi and several other high ranking officers in the armed forces.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/447120