GCC Interior Undersecretaries begin meeting

DOHA: A scheduled meeting of GCC interior undersecretaries got underway yesterday, with the officials tasked of preparing for an upcoming meeting at the ministerial level. Major General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, Director General of Public Security Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, affirmed in the opening statement that the undersecretaries got together to prepare for the forthcoming ministerial meeting, indicating they would discuss plans for combating various forms of crime and terrorism “manifestations of which have multiplied claiming innocent lives, annihilating properties, assets, breaching peoples’ honor, sanctity of religions and worship sites. This situation prompts us to examine the very significant thinking process that precedes criminal action.”

The Qatari official noted in this respect need for collective action and efforts at the GCC level, through coordination among various segments of GCC societies to guide the youth about challenges and dangers.

He called for revising legislations in GCC countries to combat terrorism and extremism and activate joint security pacts for “confronting surrounding dangers on basis of our religious, moralistic and humanitarian principles.”

Warning that perils threatening GCC countries are not expected to disappear soon, Maj. Gen. Al Khulaifi called for closer inter-GCC cooperation to fight crime, exchange and employ expertise and develop joint security programs.

Meanwhile, GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Security Affairs Hazza’a Al-Hajri said the meeting agenda includes follow-up on implementation of GCC interior ministers’ decisions at their 33rd meeting, held in Kuwait last year, and following up on their decisions at a consultative meeting hosted by Qatar last April. The Kuwaiti delegation taking part in the meeting is headed by Interior Undersecretary Lt Gen Sulaiman Al-Fahad.