Sharjah, Jumada I 25, 1439, Feb 11, 2018, SPA -- The UAE Hot Air Balloon Team yesterday launched the balloon of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in an expression of appreciation by the UAE’s leadership and people for his efforts to protect the overall achievements of the Gulf region. According to WAM, Captain Pilot Abdulaziz Nasser Al Mansouri, Head of the UAE Hot Air Balloon Team, stated that King Salman‘s humanitarian mission and efforts have reached out to the entire world, through his desire to promote regional stability and security. He added that the UAE and its leadership, led by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates and the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, have stressed the importance of the deep brotherly ties between both countries, which have promoted regional and international peace and preserved the achievements of the Arab and Islamic world. He noted that the launch of King Salman’s balloon is the outcome of the directives of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who highlighted the importance of the brotherhood and love for the nation of the UAE’s youth while urging them to promote the values of love and cooperation among the people of Gulf Cooperation, GCC, countries towards other people of the world. Al Mansouri stressed that King Salman’s balloon will participate in humanitarian missions with other countries during their national and cultural celebrations, with the aim of maintaining his place in the hearts of the youth of GCC, Arab and Islamic countries. The UAE Hot Air Balloon Team is planning to organize an international festival and forum named after King Salman, which will witness wide international participation during the 39th GCC Summit, to reflect the strength of the GCC, he said in conclusion. --SPA 19:30 LOCAL TIME 16:30 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w608754