Tunisian President welcomes Kuwaiti minister to pan-Arab talks
TUNIS: Tunisia’s President Kais Saied yesterday received Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh, on the sidelines of talks involving interior chiefs from across the wider Arab region. The meeting is highly significant since it revolves around matters dealing with the region’s security and stability, said the Tunisian leader amid the encounter, extending his warmest greetings to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. As they discussed current happenings around the world, the Kuwaiti minister reciprocated the greetings, wishing the North African nation continued prosperity.
Mounting hazards
Participants in the 37th session of Arab interior ministers yesterday warned against mounting hazards emanating from terrorism and cybercrimes in the Arab region. They called for boosting cooperation among Arab security apparatuses and updating the “Arab black list for culprits, masterminds and financiers of terrorist acts.”
“Terrorism remains most eminent factor on the scale of criminal challenges facing the Arab region and the whole world,” said Dr Mohammad Koman, Secretary General of Arab Interior Council in a statement, inaugurating the session. He lauded the council’s significant step, working out the “black list,” indicating that the council would consider forming a team of experts for early detection of terrorist threats. The ministers during the session will ponder a proposed strategy for facing and forming a coordination committee for fighting cybercrimes, he said, calling for greater cooperation with Europe for facing joint criminal challenges such as illegal immigration, narcotics, cybercrime and other organized crimes. Meanwhile, the council honorary president and Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Abdulaziz bin Nayef Al-Saud said facing terrorism warrants unifying Arab states’ efforts and cementing bonds among their security apparatuses as well as bolstering joint security actions, information and expertise swaps.
Meanwhile, Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh said the 37th session is held amid critical circumstances marked with increasing threats from terrorism, organized crime, cybercrime and illegal immigration, urging Arab states to coordinate further to counter these hazards. He stressed on necessity of updating mechanisms and networks of the Arab security apparatuses, boosting swap of expertise and information in the face of the security challenges. The Arab interior council session kicked off earlier yesterday to address a host of issues such as criteria of listing or omitting on the black list, forming a special team for anticipating terrorist threats and instant analysis of terrorist acts.
Saleh meets Palestine PM
On Saturday, minister Saleh met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, on the sideline of the 37th Arab Interior Ministers meetings. During the meeting, Saleh reassured Kuwait’s firm stance and support for the Palestinian case. Shtayyeh praised Kuwait’s stances and support, especially when Kuwait was appointed to the position of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, expressing hopes further strengthen security cooperation between the two sides. Saleh also met with Lebanon’s Minister of Interior Mohammad Fahmi where they discussed a number of issues of common concern.