Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat Saudi Arabia celebrates its 75th National Day today marking the unification of the Kingdom.

The government has declared the National Day a holiday for both the public and private sectors.

Saudi Arabia celebrates National Day this year with the leadership of Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz who ascended to the Saudi throne on August 1 following the death of King Fahd, who ruled the kingdom for 23 years

A rush of cables of congratulations started to pour in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the anniversary of the unification of the country by late founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. Meanwhile, a number of prominent personalities made statements to the press abroad, hailing the occasion.

Heads of state, prime ministers, senior government officials, leading companies, media, diplomats, community leaders and individuals jammed the mail with cables to their Saudi counterparts, expressing noble feelings on the 75th anniversary of the national day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz received a number of cables of congratulations form world leaders.

They included president of Azerbaijan, general governor of Australia, president of Germany, president of Indonesia, president of Ireland, president of Pakistan, king of Belgium, king of Bhutan, president of Ghana, president of Korea, president of Lebanon, president of Malta, president of Mexico, president of Austria and Queen of the Netherlands.

The king replied with cables of thanks.

US ambassador to the kingdom James C. Oberwetter spoke on the occasion of the Saudi national day and highlighted the achievements of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On the issue of counter-terrorism, the ambassador said, "The Kingdom, in fact, has become a world leader in this issue by holding the Conference on Counter Terrorism earlier this year..."

A number of prominent figures spoke on the occasion of the Saudi national day and praised the achievements of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The prominent figures, who spoke on the occasion of the Kingdom' national day, included Secretary General of Muslim World League, Head of the Royal Commission of Jubail and Yanbu, Minister of Civil Service, Vice President of Youth Welfare, Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Health.