Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister, Wednesday said that the recent developments in Iraq and its neighboring region called for concerted efforts to diagnose the problems and coming up with an amicable solution to all those issues. However, an impartial approach was required in that regard, he said. Prince Naif was speaking at the sixth meeting of Interior Ministers of countries neighboring Iraq. He said that the people of Iraq should decide their fate on their own. “Whoever allows interference in Iraq's affairs gives others the pretext to interfere in theirs',” Prince Naif said. He urged all the countries particularly Iraq's neighbors to work for the welfare of Iraq with neutrality. Speaking about the issue of terrorism, he said that all countries must get united against the menace and support Iraq in that regard. “Against those murderers we must stand by Iraq's side. Unfortunately, these people are our compatriots, but they work against Islam and they are enemies to the Arab and Muslim nations, and they are deceived. From this point, we must think and generate a solution through what is called intellectual security.” “An issue that we must completely agree upon and practically apply is that such elements don't find refuge or a route to pass through in any of our countries. They cannot get into Iraq unless through our countries,” he said. “We must cooperate to protect Iraq and our countries, because we – the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – is also affected by the menace of terrorism. It may seem strange that they fight a State of which Qur'an and Sunnah is the Constitution, a State that protects the Two Holy Mosques, but the devil has swayed them in choosing their path.” “Unfortunately, some of those ignorant were found to be holders of high academic qualifications.” “It is important to implement our cooperation and earnestly and honestly protect Iraq and not to let our territories be a path or an abode for those working against it. We must communicate to generate what keeps our region away from evils.” Egypt's Interior Minister Habib Al-Adli chaired the meeting, which was also attended by representatives of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Arab League. Al-Adli said that the challenge before Iraq's neighbors was their ability to overcome the difference in views of all parties and to focus on aspects of mutual interests. A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting called for continuing efforts to maintain Iraq's unity, sovereignty and independence. It also laid emphasis on the recommendations and visions generated at previous meetings that asserted to prevent using Iraq and its neighboring states' territories as refuges or paths for terrorist elements. It condemned the terrorist attacks Iraq witnessed and called for enhancing cooperation and coordination to confront such actions, implementing neighbor countries' memos of security cooperation and enhancing diplomatic and legal mechanisms for handing over those proved to be involved in terrorist crimes. The ministers also agreed on providing necessary support to Iraqi Police according to each country's capabilities.
