Interior Minister warns of growing Iranian threat

Tunis, Mar. 3(BNA): Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa led Bahrain’s delegation to 36th session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council in Tunisia on Sunday. The meeting was held under the patronage of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi and was chaired by honorary President of the council His Royal Highness Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif Al Saud. The Interior Minister delivered the following speech: "At the outset, I am glad to express my thanks and gratitude to Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi for inaugurating the session. I would also like to thank Tunisian Interior Minister Hisham Al-Fourati for his great hospitality and Secretary-General of the Arab Interior Ministers Council Mohammed bin Ali Kouman for the excellent organisation of the event. Your Highnesses and Excellencies, The resolve to continue to hold the council sessions affirms the will and determination for Arab cooperation and solidarity. I remember the leading role played by His Royal Highness Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may his soul rest in peace, in reinforcing the organisational framework of the Arab Interior Ministers Council, and of the ministers who were associated with its establishment, so it could fulfil the security mission to achieve the council’s goals. The ministers’ commitment to attend this meeting would undoubtedly promote the sense of confidence and optimism, although the security situation in the Arab world is not in its best state. Your Highnesses and Excellencies, The Arab security responsibility calls for priority to security and immediate work to tackle classified common security threats and come up with solutions, especially those related to foreign interference in our internal security, mainly, as you know, the developing Iranian threat. The disregard for the sovereignty and national identity of the Arab states has prompted the Iranian leaders to talk about Iran's great Persian borders on various occasions. This is a violation of the sovereignty of its neighbouring countries, including the Arab and Islamic states. Thus, there is an urgent need to tackle regional threats. Iran continues to disturb the stability of the Arab states by interfering in their internal affairs and is the main supporter of terrorist groups and organisations. There is a need to counter those threats with an Arab stand and clear steps to protect the Arab identity as a united stand and joint efforts would put an end to such violations and expansionist ambitions. Your Highnesses and Excellencies, We are facing many security challenges, including the misuse of the communication technology that becomes an issue in the security scenario and a security burden for all countries without exception. The technology is exploited effectively by terrorist groups and this has helped them to undertake terrorist operations in developed areas and cities. This calls for coordination among all countries so as to limit the exploitation of technology by terrorist groups and unification of procedures between communication and information technology authorities to draft appropriate legislation that meets the rapid development in the communication sector. I would also like to focus on the phenomenon of drugs that is spreading in our societies despite the efforts of anti-narcotics authorities in our countries and their determination to tackle the issue. This calls for the development of anti-narcotics authorities within a cohesive security system that should be able to quickly exchange information to check the circulation of drugs in our societies. It should also be able to focus on improving the culture of self-realisation and awareness programmes to protect the communities from the negative consequences of drugs so their members do not become addicts. In this regard, I’m happy to invite the anti-narcotics authorities of your ministries to learn about Bahrain’s experience, based on the Maan [Together] programme against violence and addiction implemented under the Interior Ministry's supervision. The programme aims to educate students of different levels to protect themselves against addiction through avoiding drugs, and to improve their awareness about the risks posed by narcotics and their harmful psychological and physical effects. I wish the best for our meeting and for the success of the joint Arab security process, the development of our societies and the achievement of the Arab world’s goals for security and progress. In a statement issued at the conclusion of the session, the Arab Interior Ministers Council decided to grant the Prince Naif Medal for Arab Security with Excellence to Kuwait Amir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah in recognition of his valuable efforts in strengthening Arab security and for his contribution to promote solidarity among the Arab states. The council also approved the ninth phase of the plan for the Arab strategy to combat the use of narcotics and psychotropic substances, the eighth phase of the plan for the Arab counter-terrorism strategy, and the fifth phase of the plan for the Arab strategy for civil protection. On the sidelines of the session, the Interior Minister met his Saudi counterpart and praised the strong ties between the two brotherly countries under the leaderships of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his brother Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. He also appreciated Saudi Arabia’s honorable role in backing the security cooperation between the two countries. The two leaders also discussed security coordination and issues of common interest. The minister was accompanied by a delegation consisting of Bahrain Ambassador to Tunisia Ebrahim Mahmood Ahmed Abdullah and Interior Ministry officials.