Khaleej Times

Policy change urged to solve regional crisis

Prince Turki hopes Beirut recommenda­tions will bring stability

- Jasmine Al Kuttab jasmine@khaleejtim­es.com

abu dhabi — Policy changes within the Arab states need to be made in order to reconfigur­e the Arab region and its global space, beyond political economy and security threats, said Saudi Prince Turki Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Sunday.

During a Press conference held on Sunday in the Capital, Prince Turki highlighte­d that key changes in policy, which emerged during the Beirut Institute Summit last year in Abu Dhabi, need to be met in order to see a secure and stable region.

He pointed out that it’s vital to look at ways to urgently stabilise the security environmen­t, accelerate and deepen Arab strategic alignment, unleash the next generation of economical growth, strengthen societal cohesion across the region, and drive toward an inclusive regional security architectu­re.

“Government officials, public and private sector luminaries and next generation leaders deliberate­d exhaustive­ly. That fruitful dialogue resulted in bold thinking and the developmen­t of actionable policy recommenda­tion, on which urgent action is critical.”

The former Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the US and the UK pointed out that it is up to the leaders of the region, to come together and take the recommenda­tions seriously.

“I encourage leaders across the region to face our intensifyi­ng challenges, harness the unpreceden­ted opportunit­ies before us and build a future worthy of the people,” he noted.

First and foremost, Prince Turki pointed out that actions must be taken in order to “stop the bleeding in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen. There is a lot of blood being shed, with no reason behind it.”

All talk no action

He said that there is “a lot of talk and no action,” and thus the summit’s sole purpose is to look at strategies and ways that can help eradi-

Prince Turki Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,

cate the challenges the Middle East faces today, noting, “there is a great deal of turbulence and turmoil in the Arab world.”

He thus stated that a joint security of the Arab world will help make a tremendous difference, and he calls for not only the Arab nations, but also the neighbouri­ng countries such as Iran, to overcome obstacles cohesively and counter terrorism. “Iran and Saudi Arabia must move forward and come to a solution.” On the other hand, he noted that Iran’s interferen­ce with its neighbouri­ng countries is deeply affecting a peaceful solution.

Speaking on the recent announceme­nt on Arab nations sending ground forces to Syria, he said: “This should have been done from a long time ago. It helps bring

Stop the bleeding in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen. There is a lot of blood being shed, with no reason behind it.... Most of them killed by terrorist groups are in fact Muslim civilians, we therefore have a critical role to eliminate these organisati­ons.

different Muslim nations together and counter-terrorism.”

“Most of the casualties killed by terrorist groups are in fact Muslim civilians, we therefore have a critical role to play and eliminate these organisati­ons.” He suggested that the falling of government­s in bloodshed countries like Iraq, has dynamicall­y helped terrorist groups expand and unleash.

Many would thus argue that the fall of former Iraq president Saddam Hussein’s regime has certainly opened up a can of worms in Iraq, as it currently faces the greatest destabilis­ation it has seen.

However, he noted that nations must look at the root cause, in order to “eradicate the disease.”

Saudi’s former Ambassador to the US and UK

 ??  ?? Prince Turki Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud called for unity among regional nations to improve security situations at a Press conference held in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. —
Supplied photo
Prince Turki Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud called for unity among regional nations to improve security situations at a Press conference held in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. — Supplied photo

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