- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Arabia holds global counter-terrorism conference
- Date: 17th February 2013
- Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (FEBRUARY 16, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANTS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COUNTER-TERRORISM IN RIYADH VARIOUS OF SPEAKERS AT THE CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES PARTICIPATING IN CONFERENCE CONFERENCE LOGO READING IN ARABIC AND ENGLISH: ''INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON UNITED NATIONS' COLLABORATION WITH COUNTER -TERRORISM CENTRES" WIDE OF CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PRINCE TORKI BIN MOHAMMAD BIN SAUD AL-KABIR, UNDER-SECRETARY OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FOR MULTILATERAL RELATIONS READING THE STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER PRINCE SAUD AL FAISLA, SAYING: "We affirm the significance of the capacity-building of states that need it (development of projects that destroys terrorist's plans), as well as the need to improve their practices, supply them with assistance in combating terrorism, providing them with training and support, strengthening cooperation and coordination with the proper authorities in such states in order to confront the different illegal and security activities such as arm smuggling, drugs trade, money laundering and the pursuit and tracking of terrorists." ATTENDANCE CLAPPING WIDE OF CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) DEREK PLUMBLY, UNITED NATIONS UNDER SECRETARY-GENERAL AND SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR LEBANON, READING THE STATEMENT OF THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL, SAYING: "The United nations global counter-terrorism strategy which was adopted by all member states in 2006 is a cornerstone for a truly global multilateral response, it offers a comprehensive, integrated and preventive approach . The four pillars of the global strategy span the whole spectrum of measures through which we can prevent and combat terrorism." WIDE OF CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAMES B.SMITH, THE UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR IN SAUDI ARABIA, SAYING: "As we all know, terrorism has been a challenge for all of our countries, with that we have a very close relationship with the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so this is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to come together to listen to new ideas to handle undermined support for extremism." VARIOUS OF CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PRINCE TORKI BIN MOHAMMAD BIN SAUD AL-KABIR, UNDER-SECRETARY OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FOR MULTILATERAL RELATIONS, SAYING: "We are in Saudi Arabia among those who had been attacked by Terrorism and for this, we are doing great efforts in fighting against this phenomenon and also with cooperation and with international efforts and we support all international effort calling to the fight against terrorism." FLAGS OF PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SOMALIAN EMBASSY IN RIYADH, SAYING: "We benefit greatly from such conferences, Somalia of course needs help, the world is helping us but we need more help (in fighting terrorism)." EXTERIOR OF RITZ CARLTON HOTEL WHERE THE CONFERENCE IS HELD FLAGS OF PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
- Embargoed: 4th March 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: Crime,International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAEIWTTK9OBZ766FWEJ3Q1X33A7
- Story Text: Saudi Arabia holds International Conference on Counter-terrorism in Riyadh. The Conference aims at augmenting the persistent endeavours to confront terrorism through mustering wide range efforts that involve affected countries.
In a bid to improve ways of combating terrorism, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia alongside the United Nations hosted an International Conference on Counter Terrorism in Riyadh on Saturday (February 16).
The two-day conference was attended by participants from over 50 countries including the 21 member states of the UNCCT Advisory Board.
The conference was opened by Prince Turki Bin Mohammed Bin Saud al-Kabir, the Under-secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Relations. Al-Kabir started off the conference by highlighting the importance of global cooperation in fighting terrorism.
"We affirm the significance of the capacity-building of states that need it (development of projects that destroys terrorist's plans), as well as the need to improve their practices, supply them with assistance in combating terrorism, providing them with training and support, strengthening cooperation and coordination with the proper authorities in such states in order to confront the different illegal and security activities such as arm smuggling, drugs trade, money laundering and the pursuit and tracking of terrorists," he said.
The theme of the conference focused on the four pillars essential in the global strategy for fighting terrorism which also included different ways of preventing terrorist attacks. The strategy was introduced by a statement from the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and was delivered by Derek Plumbly, the United Nations Under-Secretary- General and special coordinator for Lebanon.
"The United nations global counter-terrorism strategy which was adopted by all member states in 2006 is a cornerstone for a truly global multilateral response, it offers a comprehensive, integrated and preventive approach . The four pillars of the global strategy span the whole spectrum of measures through which we can prevent and combat terrorism," explained Plumbly.
The UN General Assembly approved a proposal by Saudi Arabia in 2005 to open an international anti-terrorism centre in Riyadh, in which the Saudi capital pledged to fund the centre with a cost of $10 million for a period of three years.
"As we all know, terrorism has been a challenge for all of our countries, with that we have a very close relationship with the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so this is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to come together to listen to new ideas to handle undermined support for extremism," said James B. Smith, the United States ambassador in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia boasts of its success in thwarting attacks by al Qaeda, which launched a violent campaign in the kingdom in 2003 that fizzled out in 2006. But Riyadh fears al Qaeda militants could use their base in Yemen to restart operations.
"We are in Saudi Arabia among those who had been attacked by Terrorism and for this, we are doing great efforts in fighting against this phenomenon and also with cooperation and with international efforts and we support all international effort calling to the fight against terrorism," added Turki Bin Mohammad Bin Saud al-Kabir.
On his part, the representative of the Somali embassy in Riyadh stressed on the importance of such conferences and appealed for world support to help fight terrorism.
"We benefit greatly from such conferences, Somalia of course needs help, the world is helping us but we need more help (in fighting terrorism)," he said
There have been threats against foreigners in Somalia since U.S. forces killed al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden in 2011, the Foreign Office says. Islamist militants have attacked overseas workers in the past and they continue to pose a risk.
Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally and the world's leading oil exporter, has no political parties and its parliament is an appointed body with limited powers. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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