Saudi intelligence chief extolls female staff performance

Riyadh: Female members of Saudi Arabia's General Intelligence Directorate have won plaudits from the agency's chief, Prince Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz.

"Every Saudi woman can be proud of the excellent performance of their fellow members in the General Intelligence Directorate... Their reports, analysis and proposals are 10 times better than their male counterparts," he said.

Prince Muqrin made the remarks extolling female employees of the agency during a press conference in Riyadh on Saturday evening during a visit to King Saud University.

During the visit, the intelligence chief signed a framework agreement for consultative and scientific studies, research and services with King Saud University. The King Abdullah Institute for Research and Consultative Studies at the varsity will administer the 20-million Saudi riyal (Dh19.64 million) programme.

An agreement was also signed establishing the Chair of Prince Muqrin for Information Security Technologies at the university at a cost of 5 million riyals. The contract will be financed from the personal account of the prince.

Prince Muqrin also toured the departments of the university including the King Abdullah Institute for Nano Technology.

Replying to questions on the intelligence blunder by the CIA regarding Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction that resulted in the invasion of Iraq, he said the decision to attack Iraq was purely political.

"Earlier, I had a meeting with my US counterpart in this respect. We discussed the matter. I came to the conclusion from this also that the decision was purely a political one," he said

According to Prince Muqrin, the Ministry of Interior and the General Intelligence Directorate are working in close coordination to maintain security and stability of the country and the people.

Referring to the consequence of a possible cyber war, he said tactics for annihilation of the complete system would define future conflicts.

Prince Muqrin said the intelligence agency was gearing up to launch a toll free number (985) to help citizens contact the department, pass on information or register complaints. "This is part of the General Intelligence's efforts to strengthen cooperation and coordination with the public in discharging its duties and responsibilities."

Underlining the need to strengthen cooperation with intelligence agencies at the global level, he reiterated his keenness to continue measures to improve the efficiency of the agency.

"My mission is mainly focused on gathering intelligence information, analyse it and brief the decision makers," he added.