(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Riyadh: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia highlighted the importance of the Arab-Islamic-American Summit, stressing 'We are meeting today at this summit to express the seriousness in taking rapid steps to promote a genuine partnership between the two sides in a way that serves our common interests and contributes to achieving security, peace and development for all mankind.'
In an opening speech before the summit in Riyadh yesterday, the Saudi King said the meeting between the leaders of Arab and Islamic countries and President of the United States of America Donald Trump reflects keenness on enhancing cooperation and coordinating stances in various fields. 'The meeting significantly shows that our 53 Arab and Islamic countries attending the summit today with a population exceeding 1.5 billion, are an important partner in fighting the forces of extremism and terrorism and achieving world peace, security and stability.'
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said that the participating countries and the United States share the same desire for constructive cooperation to renounce extremism and work on countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. 'At the same time, we reaffirm that we share His Excellency the same noble feelings in terms of constructive cooperation to renounce extremism and work on countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, drying-up its sources, stopping all means of financing or disseminating terrorism, and firmly addressing this serious scourge on humanity as a whole.'
The Saudi King underscored that Islam was and will remain the religion of mercy, tolerance and coexistence which were confirmed by clear examples. 'During its bright eras, Islam provided the best examples in coexistence and harmony among interreligious and intercultural. But today, we see some who considered themselves as Muslims seek to present a distorted image of our religion where they seek to link this great religion with violence.'
While stressing that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance, he added 'We, as countries and peoples, condemn all forms of harm to relations of the Islamic countries with the friendly countries and classification of peoples and states based on religious or sectarian basis. Such abhorrent acts are only made as a result of attempts to exploit Islam as a cover for political purposes that fuel hatred, extremism, terrorism and religious and sectarian conflicts. The Iranian regime and its affiliated groups and organizations such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, as well as ISIS and Al-Qaeda and others are clear examples.
'The Iranian regime spearheads the global terrorism since Khomeini revolution until today,' King Salman said, adding 'Iran has rejected initiatives of good neighborhood provided by our countries based on good faith. Iran replaced these initiatives with expansionist ambitions, criminal practices, interferences in the internal affairs of other countries, flagrant violations of the international law, and violations of the principles of good-neighborliness, coexistence and mutual respect.'
'The Iranian regime erroneously thought that our silence a sign of weakness and our wisdom a retreat. Later on, we had enough of its hostile practices and interventions, as we have seen in Yemen and other countries in the region,' he said, adding 'We say this, as we confirm, at the same time, our appreciation of and respect to the Iranian people, who will not be blamed for the crimes of their regime.'
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has long suffered from and was a target of terrorism, while pointing out that pursuant to the efforts being exerted to fight terrorism, the Gulf Cooperation Council member countries concluded today a historic arrangement with the United States of America for taking firm measures to foil terror financing, i.e. establishing a center in the city of Riyadh aiming to root-out the sources of finance of terrorism.
'Thus, we look forward to more countries to join the center in future. This arrangement would be taken as an example as it is based on our current efforts in this regard., adding 'I once again confirm that we would never be lenient in sending to justice whoever finance or support terrorism in any form or under any manifestation as he would be subject to decisive justice.'
'As part of our war against terrorism, we confirm our determination to wipe out ISIS organization and other terrorist organizations, regardless of their religion, sect or thought. This is why we have formed the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism, considered a pioneering step to besiege terrorism,' the Saudi Monarch said.'Terrorism is a result of extremism, no doubt. Amid the need to confront it, we announce today the launch of the International Center for Combating Extremism, a measure aiming, in collaboration with peace-loving countries and international organizations, at spreading the principles of moderation, confronting the attempts to lure the juniors, vaccinating families and societies against deviant thought and waging a fierce war against the weak logic and controversy of the terrorists.'
Regarding regional issues, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said 'We stress that achieving peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis is a just and necessary quest that requires joint sacrifices and sincere determination for the interest of all. The international community ought to intensify efforts to find a solution to the Syrian crisis to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people and preserve Syria's unity and sovereignty.'
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