NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UN, Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, has given a speech to the UN Security Council in New York on “threats to international peace and security resulting from terrorist acts.”
In his address, in the wake of US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which Tel Aviv seized from Syria in 1967, Al-Mouallimi claimed that the occupation of territory by foreign powers was a contributing factor to international terrorism. He added that the recognition of occupations by the international community only fueled anger in oppressed communities.
Al-Mouallimi thanked the council for allowing him to address the session. He said that holding it was essential in the wake of the attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, where 50 people were killed by a white supremacist on March 15. He added that the attack demonstrated the effectiveness of organized terrorists existing even on small budgets and with limited resources.
Focusing on cutting off funding to extremists, he continued, was the most important aspect of tackling them. He highlighted the Kingdom’s own experiences in fighting Al-Qaeda and Houthi militias in Yemen, where, he explained, the “drying up of sources and funding” had proven highly effective in stifling various groups, as opposed to relying solely on military engagement.
Al-Mouallimi also cited Saudi Arabia’s pioneering role in fighting terrorists in cyberspace, where most fundraising now occurs, but also, increasingly, where extremist propaganda is disseminated and radicalization takes place.
In 2017, the Kingdom established a center for countering online extremist ideology alongside the US and a number of Gulf Cooperation Council members, in tandem with the UN Centre for Counter-Terrorism.
Al-Mouallimi stressed that initiatives such as this were essential if global terrorism was to be defeated, and that countries would have to set aside differences and work together, and view attacks on one as an attack on all, as with a conventional military alliance.
He also took the time to praise the council for the extensive series of sanctions it had placed on organizations suspected of involvement in the funding of groups like Al-Qaeda and Daesh.
Despite both remaining very real threats to peace, the two have been weakened in recent months in terms of manpower and resources, as a direct result of concerted UN tactics. Al-Mouallimi urged the council not to stop there, though, and to consider extending similar embargoes against the Iranian-backed Houthis and Lebanese group Hezbollah.
He concluded that, with the diversification of global terror, the Kingdom’s policy remained facilitating international cooperation. Shared knowledge, he said, was vital to identifying and stopping attacks and attackers well in advance, and by sharing data and information, security services would be able to prevent more atrocities like Christchurch from happening.
Saudi Arabia urges joint efforts in fight against global terror
Saudi Arabia urges joint efforts in fight against global terror
- Governments should stop turning a blind eye to causes of resentment and anger, envoy tells UN
Excavators held for violating water system
- The discovery was made during field tours carried out by the water department
TUBARJAL: The Al-Jouf branch of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has apprehended three excavators who were found to be violating the water system in Tubarjal.
The discovery was made during field tours carried out by the water department, in cooperation with the competent authorities in the governorate.
Separately, authorities in Addayer in the Jazan region have arrested seven Ethiopians for smuggling 105 kg of hashish. Legal procedures have been completed against the offenders who were handed over, along with the seized items, to the competent authority.
Border guard patrols in the Al-Harth area of Jazan have also foiled an attempt to smuggle 71 kg of hashish, with initial legal procedures completed and the find handed over to the competent authority.
Security authorities have reiterated their appeal for citizens and residents to report any information regarding drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Region, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions.
Those with information may also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or at [email protected].
Direct KSA to Iraq flight routes announced
- These flights, along with flights to Baghdad and Irbil, will commence from June 1.
RIYADH: The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation announced the launch of direct flights from Dammam to Najaf, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The decision is in line with the Kingdom’s national aviation sector strategy, aimed at doubling capacity to accommodate over 330 million passengers annually, and extending services to more than 250 global destinations.
These flights, along with flights to Baghdad and Irbil, will commence from June 1.
Ministry of Hajj and Umrah praises Iraqi authorities for arresting fraudsters touting fake Hajj trips
- A ministry source in the statement also warned prospective pilgrims to beware of unauthorized Hajj offers being promoted this year
- The ministry made it clear that visas for Umrah, tourism, work, family visits, transit, and other categories do not grant eligibility to perform Hajj
RIYADH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah expressed its gratitude for actions taken by the Supreme Commission for Hajj and Umrah in the Republic of Iraq that resulted in the prosecution of more than 25 companies fraudulently engaged in commercial Hajj operations.
A ministry source in the statement also warned prospective pilgrims to beware of unauthorized Hajj offers being promoted this year, primarily through social media.
Participation in Hajj requires pilgrims to obtain a legitimate Hajj visa issued by the authorities in the Kingdom in coordination with Hajj affairs offices in their respective countries, or via the Nusuk Hajj platform for those countries that do not have an official Hajj office.
The source said that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is monitoring advertisements from companies and campaigns, as well as identifying fake accounts on social networks allegedly offering Hajj packages at enticing prices.
The ministry made it clear that visas for Umrah, tourism, work, family visits, transit, and other categories do not grant eligibility to perform Hajj. It urged pilgrims to be careful not to fall victim to companies and others claiming to offer commercial Hajj campaigns or other misleading initiatives.
“Regulations must be followed and legally documented permits, as represented by the official Hajj visa, must be issued, so a safe, secure, well-managed Hajj program and fair representation to all nationalities is provided,” Mohsen Tutla, head of the World Hajj and Umrah Convention, told Arab News.
“Hajj is a mega event with more than 2 million worshippers. Can one imagine, if order was not imposed and (the event) not regulated, chaos would ensue,” he added.
In the statement, the ministry calls for everyone’s cooperation to help combat and report fraudulent companies and campaigns, and to seek information only by visiting its official website and engaging with its channels on social networks.
World’s largest Arabic opera opens in Riyadh
- The opera was produced by the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission
RIYADH: “Zarqa Al-Yamama,” the world’s first and largest grand opera in Arabic, made its debut at the King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh, taking the audience on a lyrical journey through one of the best-known folkloric tales in the Arabian Peninsula.
The opera was produced by the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission, and will run until May 4, telling the story of the central character’s attempts to warn her Jadis tribe of an imminent invasion.
Saudi chemistry duo add to KSA medal haul
- Team members were selected by Mawhiba
RIYADH: Two Saudi students have added to the Kingdom’s medal haul at the 2024 Mendeleev International Chemistry Olympiad being held in China from April 20-27.
Hassan Abdul Jalil Al-Khalifa, a third-grade secondary student from the Provincial Department of Education, Eastern Province, and fellow student Ali Salah Al-Moussa claimed bronze medals at the competition, lifting the Kingdom’s overall tally to three silver and 20 bronze.
More than 150 students from 27 countries are competing at the 58th session of the Olympiad.
Saudi Arabia is represented by a team of six students from several educational institutions.
Team members were selected by the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, also known as Mawhiba.
Students were chosen after attending a series of forums over the course of two years, and were trained by Mawhiba, in partnership with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
