RIYADH: Prince Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, called for greater international efforts to fight terrorism.
“The Kingdom has imposed tight restrictions to dry up the resources and funds of terrorists in order to curb the spread of this evil,” said Prince Naif, who renewed his pledge to stop the spread of militancy with the help of the government, the media and members of the public.
Prince Naif said “propaganda and yellow journalism” were encouraging Saudi youths to join militant organizations. “The media, whether it is the state media or private, should be realistic and objective,” he said.
The prince made the comments at a national conference convened by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice to launch its 20-year strategic plan.
“The Kingdom and its leadership are committed to protecting the youth from the menace of deviant ideas that undermine the country’s security,” he said. He also denied media reports, which said that overcrowding at the Al-Batha Border crossing was a reaction to the UAE’s withdrawal from the GCC Monetary Union.
“It was, in fact, due to people converging there to complete the required procedures pertaining to fingerprinting,” he said. Prince Naif also reiterated that the health of Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, is good, and wished him an early return to the Kingdom. Prince Naif also launched the commission’s website and honored officials and organizations supporting the event.
The ceremony was also attended by senior Saudi officials including Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Humain, president of the commission and Khaled Al-Sultan, rector of the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
Referring to people who support terrorism and those who mislead others, he said, “It is a pity that we find some people inside our own country supporting terrorists instead of fighting and confronting them. Whatever the case may be, the Kingdom is capable of dealing with them, and we have successfully unearthed several terror plots.”
On the ongoing trial of some terrorists, he said that decisions would be made by the judicial authority and the Justice Ministry, and that they would then be submitted to King Abdullah for further directions.
Referring to the commission’s role, Prince Naif said that the commission should be developed and modernized. “Any organization thatfails to develop will undoubtedly remain backward,” said the interior minister, while affirming that the commission’s strategic plan is practical and a positive step. “The commission is a complementary body for the security agencies and vice versa, and there is no problem between the commission and the state’s security agencies,” he said.
In reply to a question, Prince Naif defended the commission members by saying that they are also human beings and can commit mistakes.
Al-Humain said the new strategic plan would enhance efficiency and improve the commission’s image in society. He said that King Abdullah had approved the establishment of a chair of theological studies at King Saud University. He also announced the approval of Prince Naif Chair at Madinah’s Islamic University to study the commission’s various activities.
