Security operation rooms of GCC airports to be interlinked

The security operation rooms of airports in GCC countries will be interlinked to help meet security challenges, an official attending a meeting of regional airport security chiefs said last week.

Participants in the meeting announced additional purpose-built security operation rooms will be set up at all airports in GCC countries.

Coordinated efforts are being made by regional airports to help member countries to confront security challenges through the exchange of information and a shared sense of vigilance, said Brigadier Ahmad Mohammad Al Darwaish, the head of the Kuwaiti delegation to the meeting.

"We discussed a wide range of security issues and measures. Our coordinated efforts include linking all security operation rooms at airports in the region in order to alert each other of security threats.

The measures include alerting member countries of suspected activities and preventing entry and exit of suspects," Brigadier Al Darwaish said without using the word "terrorists" or "terrorism".

In response to a question about terrorist activities in the region, Brigadier Al Darwaish said the meeting discussed and approved coordinated efforts to issue common security alerts.

"The common security alert will prepare us to prevent and confront security threats," he said.

He spoke during a visit of meeting delegates to the Capital Police Department here.

The delegates visited the department to familiarise themselves with the modern technology being used by Abu Dhabi Police to fight crime.

They were received by Colonel Mattar Hamad Al Muhairi, director of the department.

They were briefed on the use of information technology and other tools such as fingerprint scanners, iris scanners and a database being developed as part of the effort to introduce an electronic national identity card for expatriates and UAE nationals alike.

Lt Colonel Maher Ahmad Bu Ali, head of the Bahraini delegation, said he was impressed to see how these high-tech systems are being used to fight crime and maintain the database.

Elaborating on the meeting's deliberations, Lt Col Ali said participants discussed various issues pertaining to security challenges at regional airports.

He said: "The meeting is very important and provides us with chances to discuss cooperation between GCC member countries to meet these challenges. The important thing is this we all agree about the importance of exchanging information and working to further improve our communication channels and skills."

The delegates have already decided to form a delegation of GCC airport officials and make visits to advanced international airports to study their security measures. The first visit will be Germany.

The GCC officials also met Major General Saif Al Sha'afar, assistant undersecretary for security affairs at the Ministry of Interior, and shared the minutes of their meeting with him.

They discussed various security issues with Major General Al Sha'afar.