BEIRUT: Interior Minister Prince Naif yesterday denounced moves by certain interest groups to undermine the security and stability of Arab countries by creating suspicions about their governments as well as political, social and economic systems.
“The most dangerous thing facing Arab security is attempts to shake the stability and comprehensive development in our countries ... by spreading suspicions in the minds of citizens about their existence, governments and political, social and economic systems,” the prince said.
Addressing a meeting of Arab interior ministers, Prince Naif also spoke about moves to breach the security barrier of Arab countries through deviant thoughts and criminal activities.
He hoped that the security pacts signed by Arab League member countries would enable them to confront such challenges.
He urged Arab citizens to share the responsibility of securing their countries. “Our security efforts will not be complete unless every Arab citizen feels that he is the first line of defense and that he and the security machinery work with one goal — the security of the citizen and nation,” Prince Naif told the meeting.
Prince Naif emphasized the importance of Arab unity. He praised the bold and sincere initiative made by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah at the Arab economic summit in Kuwait to reconcile Arab leaders. “That initiative was part of continuous efforts of King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan to reinforce the foundation of Arab solidarity and strengthen the unity of the Arab nation to confront its challenges,” the prince said.
Speaking at the opening session of the conference at Beirut’s Phoenicia Hotel, Ziad Baroud of Lebanon said winning people’s trust was essential for security in any country. “Establishment of security is tied to three principles — preservation of a state’s dignity, winning people’s trust, and reinforcing capabilities of security forces,” he said, acknowledging that Arab countries are neglecting some of these aspects.
“Achieving economic and social security are essential too, because evil hands manipulate impoverished people,” Baroud said.
One important item on the conference’s agenda is the implementation of the Arab counterterrorism agreement that was signed in 1998.
The Lebanese interior minister said this was a good opportunity for Beirut to shine again as a pivotal center of inter-Arab dialogue. “The bases for this conference are to express the fact that Beirut is open to all inter-Arab meetings,” he said.
Eighteen Arab interior ministers are expected to attend the two-day conference.
