Arab interior ministers council held in Tunis yesterday its ordinary 33rd meeting under the patronage of Tunisian President Al-Baji Qaid as-Sibsi. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia s delegation to the meeting was headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior and Honorary President of Arab Interior Ministers Council. Also participating in the meeting are the other interior ministers of Arab countries, high-level security delegations, representatives of the United Nations, Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab Maghreb Union, Arab Broadcasting Stations Union, Arab Tourism Organization, INTERPOL, anti-terrorism United Nations Bureau, United Nations office in charge for drug and crime combat, Naif Arab University for Scientific Security and Arab Sports Union for Police. Prior to the meeting, the Tunisian President received Arab interior ministers. Then, President Al-Baji Qaid as-Sibsi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, opened Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Gallery at the council's secretariat headquarters in recognition of his great deeds for the Arab nation. Addressing the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said the Arab nation is facing great and serious challenges targeting the security and stability of its well-being. At the outset of his speech, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz conveyed to the conferees the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, lauding the great efforts they are exerting to achieve Arab joint security and enhance their steadfast for the Arab stability and security. In his own name and on behalf of the Arab interior ministers, he forwarded thanks to the leadership, government and people of the Republic of Tunisia for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to the delegates since their arrival, paying special tribute to Tunisia's interior minister Al-Hadi Magdoub for the well done organization of the event and effort exerted to secure comfort for the participants. He said pointed out to a two-pronged challenge facing the Arab nation: internal and external. He said about the internal outlawed that they are deviants from the correct way, following the devil and should be confronted decisively. The outsiders are led by greedy circles who target the destabilization of the Arab nation, threatening its well-being, trying to seize its wealth, and send its peoples to poverty, illness and hunger situations, he said, adding that they are using sectarian differences in the region as well as political and economic motives. In case such challenges were not met with the needed firmness and decisiveness, all components of our Arab nation would face painful results, he said, adding that "we have to shoulder very great responsibilities before our leaders". The Crown Prince went on to say that security is the pillar for stability and progress without which imbalance would prevail, nations would be cut off and divided and rights violated. So, we are shouldering a great responsibility and are required to work hard to spare no effort and use whatever possible capabilities to achieve the security of our Arab nation and guarantee the unity and stability of our countries. He called for more cooperation, follow-up, assessment, coordination and security integration among the relevant security authorities to keep their readiness to face the emergencies that might tamper our security with the needed strong grip. He drew the attention to the importance of facing crime at the intellectual level to thwart its behavioral effect, citing the role to be played by the religious, media, educational and social authorities in upgrading the popular conscience and awareness and unveil criminals and their coverers-up. In conclusion, he wished the meeting every success. Addressing the meeting, President as-Sibsi welcomed the comprehensive patronage of the Crown Prince for the Arab interior ministers council in his capacity as its honorary president and chairman of the senate of Riyadh-based Prince Naif Arab university for scientific security. The President paid special tribute to late Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz for his historical support for the Arab security cooperation. He also pointed to the deteriorating security situations in more than one Arab countries, triggering strong concerns at the rest surrounding countries. He called for rescheduling of priorities and drafting a new comprehensive Arab security system that would protect the Arab societies and Arab interests against internal and external dangers on one hand and provide support for the political, economic, social and cultural development of Arab countries on the other. He also called on the Arab countries to work to settle the disputes that might manage to penetrate its vital organs to find remedies for the diseases from where terrorism is feeding, citing the low-level development, increase of poverty and unemployment rates as well as the spread of extremism, racism, hatred, and the systematic defaming of the divine Islamic religion. At a conclusion of the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and the Secretary General of the Arab interior ministers council provided a memorial shield to the Tunisian president for his great efforts in supporting security cooperation among the Arab countries. Then, the Crown Prince was awarded a memorial shield by the Secretary General of the Arab interior ministers council in recognition of his continuous support for the Arab interior ministers council. A ceremony of handing over a chairmanship of the council was held from Algerian interior minister Noureddine Badawi, chairman of the 32nd council, to Bahraini interior minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, chairman of the 33rd council. The two ministers thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, for his sincere efforts in supporting the Arab joint security action. They lauded the Arab efforts led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for supporting the nation's security and efforts exerted by the Arab states in combating terrorism.
