RIYADH — The defense ministers of the member states of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) convened for their second meeting in Riyadh, on Saturday. The meeting was convened at the invitation of Prince Khalid Bin Salman, the Saudi minister of defense and chairman of the Council of Defense Ministers of the member states of the IMCTC. During the meeting, the defense ministers expressed their deep appreciation for Prince Khalid's commitment to activate the Coalition's mission to safeguard the security of member countries, preserve their stability, and ensure the safety of their people. A significant point of focus during the meeting was the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The member states expressed strong support for Prince Khalid's emphasis on the importance of a unified stance among member states in condemning this aggression. They underlined their determination to enhance cooperation, coordinate efforts, and unite in opposition to the risks posed by terrorism. The defense ministers stressed the importance of joint collective action to confront all forms and manifestations of terrorism and extremism. The progress achieved in the Coalition's journey was acknowledged with satisfaction, and a commitment to continue efforts in the fight against terrorism through organized collective action and comprehensive planning was reaffirmed. This commitment aligned with the Coalition's primary areas of focus, which encompassed the intellectual domain, media, combating terrorism financing, and the military domain. Informed about the Coalition's methodology and initiatives tailored to meet the needs of member states, the attendees agreed to establish a fund dedicated to financing the Coalition's initiatives. This fund would receive financial contributions from member states, supporting countries, and international bodies and organizations. The attendees also stressed the importance of working together to achieve the Coalition's goals in combating terrorism. Collaboration with supportive friendly countries and international organizations concerned with combating terrorism was encouraged, all in line with the principles of international legitimacy. Countries expressing a desire to join the Coalition in the future were welcomed. In conclusion, the defense ministers expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation to the countries that contributed to supporting the fund for financing initiatives. They commended Saudi Arabia for establishing and supporting the Coalition, enabling it to continue its planned journey. Furthermore, they expressed gratitude to the Kingdom for hosting the second meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the IMCTC.
