‘Terrorism main threat to Arab world, need to drain sources’
‘Protect children from social media dangers’
TUNIS, April 6, (Agencies): Terrorism is the main threat to Arab peoples, it must be confronted and its swamps drained, said Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah on Wednesday.
His remarks came during a speech at the launch of the 34th meeting of Arab Interior Ministers’ Council here, where he also called for adopting a unified strategy to protect children in the Arab world from online and social media dangers.
In this regard, Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah pointed to a regional conference hosted recently by Kuwait and resulted in a number of significant educational, security-related and legislative recommendations.
The Council’s one-day meeting discussed a number of issues, mainly illegal drugs, the fight against terrorism and extremism.
Tunisian Interior Minister Hedi Majdoub, in opening remarks of the session, said regional and global circumstances are on the rise in terms of security, which required efforts and levels of cooperation and coordination among Arab countries to double.
“Extremist and terrorist phenomena could not be eradicated unless a joint Arab effort was in place,” he said, adding “hardline groups saw an opportunity for expansion through feeding off armed conflicts in the Arab world, in addition to utilizing technology to lure in and recruit more human elements”.
Further pan-Arab cooperation and coordination in fighting terrorism and holding an annual “week” to spread awareness against extremism threats were the main recommendations of 34th meeting of Arab Interior Ministers’ Council.
The meeting, which concluded earlier Wednesday, urged in its final communique the extensification of awareness programs on dangers of extremism and terrorism in the Arab world.
The Council also endorsed bestowing Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz
of Saudi Arabia with Prince Naif Medal for Arab Security for the monarch’s pioneering role in supporting Arab and Islamic causes, as well as efforts in preserving world peace and security.
The Council also ratified strategies on combating narcotics and illegal drugs, combating terrorism, traffic safety, civil defense and intellectual security.
Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah headed Kuwait’s delegation to the meeting.
Meanwhile, Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock said the world policing body stood ready to support the Arab Interior Ministers Council in the joint fight against terrorism and organized crime.
Addressing the meeting attended by more than 20 Ministers, Secretary General Stock said ‘wahdaa’ — which means unity in English — was vital in harmonising national, regional and international law enforcement efforts.
Mr Stock also underlined the need for frontline officers to have access to Interpol’s I-24/7 communications system and global databases, which can act as an ‘early warning system’ against terrorists and crime threats.
“Whether it is to combat the flow of terrorism linked with DAESH or with any active terrorist entities, Interpol stands ready to support its Arab membership in our joint fight,” said Secretary General Stock, who also highlighted the need for the skills and experience of police officers from the region to be shared alongside those from around the world.