Saudi Minister of National Guard Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on Tuesday quashed foreign media reports that Egyptian and Pakistani troops were deployed north of the Kingdom.
"We are happy with the distinguished relations with Arab Republic of Egypt and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, but the news is false, and we in the Kingdom have the ability to defend our land," Prince Miteb said in a press statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
He added that the "military population" in the country hits 27 million people, that is all the Saudi citizens, both military and civilians, warning organizations "accused of terrorist acts from approaching the borders of the Kingdom." Prince Miteb stressed that the National Guard Units are ready to fulfil their duty anywhere in the Kingdom.
The statement was made during an inspection visit by Prince Miteb to the National Guard Units in the Northern Border Region.
A recent media report said that Saudi Arabia had asked allies Egypt and Pakistan to send troops to secure the Kingdom's northern border near Iraq, fearing a potential that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant could target it.