Arab Parliament speaker calls for unity in fight against terrorism

CAIRO: During a workshop on fighting terrorism, the Arab Parliament related that the world’s states, and especially in the Arab region, are facing major challenges in confronting terrorism and the expansion of terrorist groups that aim to destabilize security and create rifts among societies in the Arab states.

Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Salami, speaker of the Arab Parliament, delivered a speech at the regional workshop “Implementation of the Global Counterterrorism Forum Valletta Recommendations,” held under the auspices of the Arab Parliament in Cairo, calling for combined efforts at all national, regional and international levels to combat terrorism and its dangers at all levels, including security, media, religion, and education.

Delegates from 25 Arab, African and European states and a number of experts from international non-governmental organizations are participating in the workshop.

Al-Salami clarified that the Arab Parliament’s priority is combating terrorism, and to reach a unified practical vision in different security, educational, social and cultural fields to root it out, and deter those who support and finance it.

The Arab Parliament has not only condemned terrorist acts, but also seeks strategies, means and procedures to fight terrorism, declaring that it is against the Islamic religion which calls for peace, freedom and forgiveness. The Parliament rejects linking terrorism to Islam and condemns discrimination against Muslims, Al-Salami added.

The workshop seeks to develop and reinforce relations with the European Parliament to become its effective partner in fighting terrorism, and in other matters that can serve their people.

Al-Salami praised the establishment of the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism (with 41 states that have joined), stressing the Parliament’s support to the Arab states, which have become targets for terrorists, and for the efforts of Egypt, Iraq, KSA, Bahrain and Yemen in combating terrorism.

He also urged the world’s parliaments, and the European Parliament in particular, not to support Israel’s candidacy for a rotating seat on the UN Security Council 2019-2020 since Israel is an occupying state, which obstructs world security and peace, and its presence on the UN Security Council, would be counterproductive.