RIYADH — The Arab Islamic American Summit on Sunday unveiled plans to establish the Middle East Strategic Alliance with the objective of establishing peace and security in the region and the world. The process of establishing the Riyadh-based Alliance with the participation of many nations will be completed by 2018, according to a communique, called "Riyadh Declaration", adopted at the end of the summit in Riyadh. The heads of state and leaders who attended the summit welcomed the readiness of some of the Muslim countries, which are part of the Saudi-led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC). The leaders expressed satisfaction over the success made in securing the territories occupied by Daesh (the so-called IS). The leaders emphasized that the summit represents a historic turning point in the relations of Arab and Muslim worlds with the United States. They voiced satisfaction over the candid and fruitful atmosphere in which the summit was held and the uniformity in viewpoints and visions of both sides toward major regional and global issues. The summit announced partnership among leaders of both sides in countering extremism and terrorism as well as in establishing peace and security in the region and the world. The leaders pledged to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, root out deviant ideologies, drain their sources of funding and take all precautionary measures to prevent terror crimes. The summit welcomed the creation of the Riyadh-based Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, and the efforts of the Arab and Islamic states in preventing terror attacks and exchange of vital information about foreign fighters and their association with terror groups. The Declaration also highlighted the signing of cooperation agreement in fighting terror funding by establishing a center in Riyadh to target such funding. The leaders reiterated their determination to counter sectarian agendas that are detrimental to the regional and global security, as well as intervention in the internal affairs of the countries in the region. The summit rejected the practices of the Iranian regime in undermining the security and stability of the region and the world and its support of terrorism and extremism. Expressing alarm over Iran's ballistic missile programs, the leaders vowed their commitment to beef up efforts to maintain regional and global security and confront destructive and subversive activities of Iran. The summit also emphasized the need to counter piracy and protect the region's waterways and ship routes.
