RIYADH — The Kingdom on Monday reiterated its determination to intensify efforts to fight terrorism through stepping up of joint action of Islamic states. In this regard, the weekly session of the Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace here, welcomed the convening of the first meeting of chiefs of staff of the countries affiliated to Islamic Military Alliance for Counterterrorism, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Adel Al-Turaifi, minister of culture and information, said that the Council underscored the significance of the Riyadh Declaration issued by the meeting of the chiefs of staff. The Cabinet noted that the meeting emphasized the importance of collective work, comprehensive strategic perspective for effective countering of terrorism and extremism, importance of activating the intellectual aspect in combating terrorism through the coordination of efforts to study the terrorist ideology so as to eradicate it, consolidate the values of understanding, tolerance and dialogue and to renounce hatred and incitement to violence. The Cabinet voiced the Kingdom's condemnation of the terrorist attacks that struck Babel and Baghdad in Iraq; Lahore in Pakistan and Brussels in Belgium that resulted in the death and injury of scores of innocent people. The Council called for beefing up of concerted international efforts to fight terrorism, which is disapproved by all religions, international norms and charters, besides emphasizing the importance of saving communities from evils of this dangerous scourge. The Council conveyed the Kingdom's deep condolences and sympathy to the governments of Iraq, Pakistan and Belgium as well as to the families of the victims, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery. Al-Turaifi said the Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's call on the United Nations Security Council to develop a special international protection system for the Palestinian state, including occupied Jerusalem, in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention and relevant international legitimacy resolutions to develop a timetable for ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region. The Cabinet voiced the Kingdom's condemnation of the Israeli authorities' continuation of the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied Arab territories, as well as its regret over the resignation of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories due to lack of cooperation of the Israeli occupation authorities.
