RIYADH: Gen. Raheel Sharif, the military commander of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), said on Sunday the coalition’s sole objective is to fight against terrorism and it is not against any country, sect or religion.
At the IMCTC Ministers of Defense Council in Riyadh, Gen. Sharif said: “A number of our member countries are under tremendous pressure while fighting well established terrorist organizations due to capacity shortages of their armed forces and law enforcement agencies.”
The coalition will act as a platform to assist member countries in their counterterrorism operations through intelligence sharing and capacity building, he said.
“The vision of IMCTC is to have a collective response against terrorism capable of leading and coordinating the efforts of member countries with high efficiency and effectiveness,” said Pakistan’s former military chief.
Explaining the mechanism of the coalition, he said it is divided into four main domains.
The first domain, Gen. Sharif said, will focus on countering terrorist Ideology. “Effort will be made to preserve and promote Islam’s universal message of moderation, tolerance and compassion, by creating intellectual, psychological and social impact to counter the perverted radical views.”
He said the IMCTC will also develop, produce and publish factual media content for dialogue to correct perceptions and discredit radical and extremist narratives.
“Next is terrorist financing. IMCTC will endeavor to dry up all types of financial support to terrorist organizations,” the retired Pakistani general said.
Responding to a query by Arab News about the likelihood of the coalition brokering a deal with social media companies in order to remove terrorist and extremist content, the IMCTC military commander said: “The collaboration is currently taking place. Besides fighting ideology, and denouncing the terrorist spirit, a lot of collaborations is going on.”
The IMCTC military commander said to improve coordination, joint exercise will be conducted based on near real-time scenarios demanding quick response and promoting a sense of solidarity and shared responsibility to fight terrorism.
In addition, IMCTC will create a state-of-the-art intelligence and information-sharing platform to counter terrorist networks their facilitators, abettors, sympathizers and financiers. After correlating and incisive analysis of critical information, actionable intelligence will be put in place, he said.
Responding to a query by Arab News about the likelihood of the coalition brokering a deal with social media companies in order to remove terrorist and extremist content, the IMCTC military commander said: “The collaboration is currently taking place. Besides fighting ideology, and denouncing the terrorist spirit, a lot of collaborations is going on.”
Islamic anti-terror coalition is not against any country, sect or religion, says commander
Islamic anti-terror coalition is not against any country, sect or religion, says commander
KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister
RIYADH: Anneliese Dodds, the British minister for development, has praised Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts in various countries of the world through its relief agency KSrelief.
The minister made this comment during a video conference Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, the head of KSrelief, where they also discussed matters of common interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs.
Meanwhile, Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, KSrelief assistant supervisor for operations and programs, met with Gavi Vaccine Alliance chief executive Sania Nishtar in Riyadh to discuss humanitarian and relief measures and ways to provide essential vaccines to countries assessed in need.
Elsewhere, the aid agency has also awarded an initial approval certificate to the Ain Ophthalmology Association in Jazan, allowing it to conduct operations outside the Kingdom.
In Jordan, KSrelief clinics provided services to 2,551 Syrian refugees in Zaatari Camp.
KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities
RIYADH: KSrelief continues implementing several projects in Yemen, including the distribution of dates across the country to neediest groups.
The agency distributed 6,000 cartons of dates in the districts of Al-Houta and Al-Melah in Yemen’s Lahj Governorate, benefiting 36,000 individuals, state news agency SPA reported.
It also delivered 3,187 cartons of dates to vulnerable groups in the Midi district of Yemen’s Hajjah governorate.
This aid, benefiting 18,000 individuals, is part of the date assistance distribution project in Yemen for 2024.
Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory
- International Court of Justice has ruled settlements are illegal
- Ministers call for UN to suspend Israel from general assembly
CAIRO: The Arab League’s foreign ministers have urged the international community to enforce the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion declaring Israel’s settlements illegal in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
At the conclusion of their discussions on Tuesday at the 162nd Ministerial Meeting of the Arab League Council in Cairo, the ministers said Israel must cease its illegal presence and all settlement activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They called on the UN General Assembly and Security Council to consider additional measures to end Israel’s illegal occupation.
The ministers also urged the ICJ to expedite its judgment on the case brought by South Africa against Israel, which accuses Tel Aviv of failing to abide by the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
They said Israel’s expulsion of the Palestinian people from their land constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
It was also a declaration of war and aggression against Arab nations, undermines peace prospects, and exacerbates conflict in the region.
They called on the UN to suspend Israel from participating in its general assembly, SPA reported.
This was because of Israel’s “non-compliance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, its threat to international peace and security, and its failure to fulfill its obligations that were a condition for its admission to the United Nations.”
They also slammed Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor, which they said were obstructing efforts for a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners and hostages.
Saudi Arabia reaffirms strong support for Sudan
GENEVA: Saudi Arabia reiterated its support for Sudan during the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, reported state news agency SPA.
Abdulmohsen bin Majed bin Khothaila, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, delivered a statement on the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan.
In his statement, Khothaila emphasized the need to protect Sudan and its people from further destruction and the worsening humanitarian situation.
The Sudanese army, led by de facto ruler Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, is locked in conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
Khothaila has stressed the importance of adhering to the protection of civilians and aid workers and ensuring the safety of humanitarian corridors for the delivery of essential aid.
The war, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Saudi Arabia also urged the prioritization of the interests of Sudanese people and halting of the conflict to safeguard state institutions and lead Sudan to safety.
The Kingdom called on the international community to commit to protecting Sudan and its people and working to restore security and stability in the country while welcoming international efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Sudan.
Saudi FM discuss Palestine, Syria and Somalia crises with counterparts in Cairo meeting
- Ministers discussed joint Arab action to intensify coordination on the Palestinian issue at the meeting
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his counterparts at the sidelines of the Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo on Tuesday.
During the meeting, ministers discussed joint Arab action to intensify coordination on the Palestinian issue and other matters of concern.
Regional and international developments were also discussed at the meeting that was attended by a Turkish foreign minister for the first time in 13 years.
Bin Farhan bin Abdullah additionally met with his Tunisian counterpart Mohamed Nafti, who discussed ties and regional and international issues of common interest.
The Kingdom’s foreign minister also met with the Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Salem Ould Merzoug, on the sidelines of the Ministerial meeting and discussed cooperation.
Several Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and the Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit took part in a Liaison Committee meeting which discussed strengthening the Arab role in settling the Syrian crisis.
Similarly, a meeting was held to support Somalia in confronting the assault on its sovereignty. The meeting was attended by many Arab leaders including Faisal bin Farhan, and Arab the importance of respecting sovereignty of states was discussed.
