TUNIS, 30 January — Interior Minister Prince Naif yesterday called upon Arab countries to stand together in the fight against terrorism and organized crime. He also reiterated the Arab world's support for the ongoing Palestinian uprising.
Addressing the opening session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council here, he urged the cooperation of media, educational and economic organizations to prevent crime and tackle their underlying causes.
Prince Naif, who is the honorary chairman of the council, emphasized the media's role in enhancing public awareness and molding people's attitude. "Coordination between the Arab security agencies and media organizations is essential," he added. He expressed his hope that the council would take the initiative for a joint meeting of Arab interior and information ministers.
He stressed the need for an Arab joint effort to fight international terrorism and organized crime as they have become very sophisticated and use advanced technology and telecommunications. A joint committee of Arab interior and justice ministers has worked out executive bylaws to implement an Arab anti-terrorism accord.
Prince Naif emphasized the role of citizens and various government agencies in maintaining law and order. "Comprehensive security is not the responsibility of the Interior Ministry alone," he stated.
Prince Naif disclosed that Saudi Arabia had donated a plot of land in the Tunisian capital to build the headquarters of the interior ministers' council.
In his opening address to the conference, Tunisian President Zain Al-Abidine Ben Ali said the meeting was being held at a crucial time when the Arab world was passing through a delicate stage. It had to face many challenges, conflicts and crises as well as lack of security and stability.
The president's address was read out by Tunisian Interior Minister Abdullah Al-Kaabi. He highlighted the Arab group's keenness to maintain security and stability as well as to achieve comprehensive development for its people. He called upon the council to set out plans to contain the most serious crimes in the Arab world.
Ben Ali underscored the accords reached by Arab interior ministers in areas of public security, combating terrorism and preventing illegal use of narcotics. He hoped that the council would make more achievements to bolster security in the Arab nations.
