Terrorism ‘direct threat to world’, says Saudi minister of interior

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif speaks in Tunis on Sunday. (SPA)

• Saudi Arabia vows to drain sources of financing extremism

TUNIS: Foreign interference especially from Iran posed one of the biggest threats to the future stability of Arab states, a top Saudi government minister has warned.
Speaking in Tunis at the 36th meeting of the Council of Arab Ministers of the Interior, its honorary president and Saudi minister of interior, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif, said the region was facing a raft of challenges, not least of which was the scourge of terrorism.
He said the council must continue through joint action to strive toward protecting the security of Arab countries in the face of major change.
He said he was “very confident” that the council realized “the seriousness of the situation and is working hard to prevent these dangers and threats.”
Prince Abdul Aziz said: “Terrorism and extremism are a direct threat to the entire world, and we must strive tirelessly to intensify efforts and coordination in the strong and effective response to these threats, while continuing to drain the sources of financing terrorism and extremism, including combating money laundering.”
Heading the Saudi delegation at the interior ministers’ meeting being held under the patronage of Tunisian President Beji Kayed Sebsi, Prince Abdul Aziz noted that illegal immigration, organized crime, border security, drug control, human rights issues and cybersecurity, and how to deal with these issues, were the top priorities of the council.
He also pointed out that keeping up with modern technology was vital in maintaining pace with the transformations taking place in Arab countries and communities.
The secretary-general of the Council of Arab Ministers of the Interior, Dr. Mohammed bin Ali Koman, pointed out that the current session of the council was being held at a time when the Arab world faced challenges that cast a dark shadow over its security and stability.
He said organized crime and the resulting drug trafficking, illegal immigration and smuggling operations were at the forefront of these challenges, and some regional powers were deliberately fueling the problem in order to destroy national unity.
Prince Abdul Aziz assumed chairmanship of the 36th session of the council from the Algerian minister of interior, Noureddine Badawi, chairman of the previous gathering. Other Arab ministers addressed the meeting before holding a closed session.
Other bodies represented at the council session included the Arab League, the Arab Maghreb Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab Red Cross, the Red Crescent organization, Interpol, the International Civil Defense Organization, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the Counter-Terrorism Project for the Middle East and North Africa, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, and the Arab Police Sports Federation.