Bolstering security of political regimes is not the 'aim of Arab interior ministers' meeting'

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz challenged the perception that meetings of the Arab interior ministers aim to bolster the security of Arab political regimes.

"I challenge anyone to come up with one decision taken by any meetings of Arab interior ministers concerning the security of the leadership or the security of the political regimes."

Prince Naif made the comments in a press briefing before leaving for Tunisia, at the head of the Kingdom’s delegation to the 27th meeting of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers that began on Tuesday.

After arrival in Tunis on Tuesday morning, Prince Naif, who is the honorary chairman of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, added that the Arab interior ministers have never discussed the security of the leaderships ever since the establishment of the Council.

According to Prince Naif, the Tunis meeting will discuss all issues related to security in the Arab world.

"The meeting will discuss all matters concerning the security situation and will approve a strategy for intellectual security," he said, adding that Saudi Arabia will present its experiment in front of the Arab interior ministers to examine them and take appropriate decisions accordingly.

Replying to a question on the reported intention of the Saudi authorities to check the travel plans of some young people to neighbouring countries as part of precautionary measures, Prince Naif said: "We don't prevent anyone except the suspected in this matter."

"Parents and families should take care of their youths and should not let them go alone. If they accompany them, then it is the best," he said.

Prince Naif highlighted the efforts being made by the Council in bolstering the security of the Arab world as a whole.

"The Council has achieved numerous accomplishments, including agreements and joint programmes, especially the establishment of the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, which has become one of the most prestigious and advanced universities, thanks to the efforts of Arab Interior Ministers," he said.

In the two-day deliberations that will conclude on Wednesday evening, the Council of Arab Interior Ministers is discussing a number of draft agreements meant for combating corruption, fighting money laundering and terror-funding as well as countering cyber crimes, preventing trans-border organised crimes, and exchange of prisoners.