We have ‘double responsibility’ to ward off threats: Saudi minister

The ministers of interior of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States held their 36th meeting in the Omani capital Muscat.

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif led his country’s delegation to the meeting. The Saudi minister said: “We are facing many growing challenges due to the stature of our countries, their strategic position and our social cohesion. It is our duty and responsibility to face these challenges with determination and ability, relying on God first and then on the wisdom of our leaders and the consciousness of our peoples.

“We meet today amid critical circumstances, serious terrorist and security threats, and external interventions aimed primarily at fomenting chaos, strife and interference in our internal affairs. Therefore, we have a double responsibility to ward off threats to our homelands and peoples. The Kingdom supports the GCC countries in maintaining sovereignty, stability and common Gulf security.”

Prince Abdul Aziz said: “The lack of security and stability in many regions of the world has led to an increase in waves of violence, terrorism and the spread of transnational organized crime, and this puts us with a shared responsibility to take effective measures to protect our security. Thus, there is a need to activate relevant strategies, agreements and resolutions issued by the Gulf Joint Action Institutions so as to maintain the security and stability of our states.”

The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Dr. Abdullah Al-Zayani, said: “We must work hard, to protect the security and stability of the GCC countries and safeguard the interests of their citizens and residents,” he said.

During their meeting the ministers condemned the sabotage attack on oil installations in Abqaiq and Khurais in Saudi Arabia.

The ministers honored the winners of the Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz Award for Security Research of the GCC 2017.

They also honored the president of the Saudi Press Agency, Abdullah bin Fahd Al-Hussein, for his efforts in promoting the Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz Award for Security Research.