KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday attended and patronized the ceremony of hoisting the Kuwaiti flag at Bayan Palace, where the national event was capped with His Highness personally raising the flag. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Muabrak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and other senior state officials attended the event. His Highness the Amir, whose motorcade had arrived at the venue to a 21-gun salute, amid an impassioned welcome by police officers and National Guards, personally hoisted the state's flag. Then, a brass band played the National Anthem. Adding to the air of patriotic fervor prevailing at the venue, Major Fahad Humoud Al-Shemmari recited a patriotic poem, hailing His Highness the Amir's traits, pledging long-life allegiance and vowing to give all possible sacrifices to safeguard the homeland. The ceremony proceeded with the Armed Forces granting a memorial present to His Highness the Amir. - KUNA