King Salman Of Saudi Ends Vacation In Bali

Kuta (Antara Bali) - King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia has ended his vacation in Bali to continue his Asian tour to Japan.

King Salman departed from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, on Sunday at around 11 a.m. local time, after spending eight days of holiday in the most famous tourist island in Indonesia.

Hundreds of joint security forces were deployed to conduct a security measures at the Ngurah Rai International Airport areas for King Salman and his entourages' departure for Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan.

The King was accompanied by 1.500-member entourage comprising   princes, ministers, and security guards, who took two Saudi Arabian Royal aircraft for the visit to Indonesia,
After a series of state agenda in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on March 1-3, the King departed to Brunei for a half-day visit and then was back to Indonesia for a vacation in Bali.

Earlier, King Salman was planned to stay in Bali until March 9, but then he decided to extend his holiday for three days.

A decision which was described by Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Indonesia Osama bin Mohammed Abdullah Al Shuaibi as the King's approval of Balinese beautiful beaches and its pleasant weather.

In regards to King Salman's extended vacation in Bali, Indonesia's Vice President Jusuf Kalla said it is considered to be a promotion of Indonesian tourism, especially for foreign tourists from the Middle East.

"King Salman's holidays in Bali is a great promotion, especially for the Middle East market," Kalla stated in Jakarta on March 7.

In addition, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, said it shows that the king feels comfortable to have vacation in Indonesia.

"We would like to thank King Salman bin Abdul Aziz bin al-Saud for having his vacation in Bali," he said.

About 2,500 joint security forces on Indonesian Military and Police, as well as Balinese traditional security guards called "pecalang" were deployed in various areas during the King and Royal family's visit in Bali.

Prior his visit to Indonesia, King Salman had visited Malaysia, and would continue his "Asian Tour" to Japan and China. (WDY)