JEDDAH: About 60 foreign diplomats working in the Kingdom recently visited tourist attractions in the summer resort of Taif, including the historical Shabra Palace, and expressed their appreciation of tourist facilities in the city.
The visit was arranged by the Foreign Ministry's office in the Makkah province. Taif Gov. Fahd Abdul Aziz Muammar welcomed the delegation of consuls general, led by Muhammad bin Ahmed Tayeb, director general of the ministry's office.
Speaking to Arab News, Tayeb said: "We organized this visit in order to help our diplomat guests enjoy their stay in the Kingdom and establish friendly relations with Saudi society."
He added: "We also wanted them to see historical monuments and witness the tremendous development achieved by the country in various sectors."
The ministry started this sightseeing program for diplomats four years ago. Majed Al-Harazi, one of the organizers, said the consuls visited a number of tourist and historical places in Taif and took part in cultural activities. The tour covered Hada, Shafa, Radf, the ropeway in Al-Karr and King Fahd Gardens.
At the Shabra Palace, Abdul Aziz Al-Amri, its director, briefed the delegation on the historical importance of the palace and its architectural specialties.
The five-floor palace is constructed following Roman, Islamic and Hejazi architectural designs.
The palace now houses a museum. Muhammad Fathi, the consul general of Tunisia and head of Arab consuls general in Jeddah, expressed his admiration of tourist facilities and attractions in Taif.
By P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR
© Arab News 2010
