Saudi Minister of Media Turki bin Abdullah Al-Shabanah, in his speech at the opening of the 50th Ordinary Session of the Council of Arab Information Ministers in Cairo today, conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his best wishes of success and reaching decisions that enhance joint Arab media action within the framework of the Arab League. He pointed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' speech during the Kingdom' hosting the three Gulf, Arab and Islamic summits during the holy month of Ramadan, where the King stressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's keenness to promote development, prosperity, and achieve lasting peace for the countries and peoples of the region, including seeking to make the Arab world an influential economic and cultural center in the world, reflecting the economic, cultural and historical capabilities of our countries and peoples. Minister Al-Shabanah said that we are meeting today to discuss a number of items that would serve the interests of the Arab media to overcome the crises in our Arab region, especially with regard to the Arab first issue, the Palestinian cause. He also said that we will work with all our capabilities so that the Palestinian people will regain their usurped rights, foremost of which is the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds) as its capital, in accordance with the international legitimacy relevant resolutions and the Arab initiative. He added that one of the most important items on this council's agenda is the role of the Arab media in combating terrorism and the need to address it by activating the pivotal role of Arab media in the face of a global phenomenon that has negatively affected individuals and Arab communities and claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people around the world, pointing out that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has spared no effort in addressing the phenomenon of terrorism and cooperation with relevant parties internationally and regionally. Minister of Media Turki Al-Shabanah pointed out that during the holy month of Ramadan, commercial vessels near the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates were subjected to terrorist sabotage operations, including two Saudi oil tankers, without regard to the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan, lives, property and the environment. He added that our country has also been subjected to terrorist operations recently by drones, targeting oil pumping stations, in addition to several operations targeting civilian airports in the cities of Abha and Jazan by the Iranian-backed terrorist militia. He stressed that these operations are not only targeting the Arab region, but also the security of air and sea navigation and energy supplies in the world, expressing his thanks to all Arab and friendly countries that condemned and denounced these operations for their stand with the Kingdom in these delicate circumstances in the Arab region. Minister Al-Shabanah said that the current situation requires our Arab media be aware of the dangers facing the Arab world so that we can respond intellectually, consciously and publicly to terrorism, unite to fight it and expose its supporters, and work systematically to drain its sources of funding using all necessary measures. He stressed the need to unite to work with all force and firmness to fight terrorism, save innocent lives and preserve properties through the implementation of specific informative and awareness programs of this dangerous and destructive phenomenon.
