Minister of Interior Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz left Kuwait today after attending the 23rd meeting of the Interior Ministers of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In a press statement read by GCC Secretary General Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Atiyyah, the ministers stressed their support for all measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to confront terrorist acts, praised Saudi security forces for their efficiency in eliminating the leaders of the deviant group and foiling a number of terrorist acts, and welcomed the Kingdom’s desire to host an international conference on combating terrorism in February of 2005. The ministers reiterated their rejection of terrorism in all its forms, and resolved to intensify cooperation among various GCC security bodies.

At a press conference today, Prince Nayef denied allegations that unemployment in Saudi Arabia was the cause of terrorism, pointing out that many of those arrested were in employment and even receiving high salaries; indicated that invitations for the terrorism conference have been distributed; and commented that it is not conceivable that Saudi women will participate in the upcoming municipal elections.

In his address to the meeting yesterday, Prince Nayef spoke of the strategic importance of the Gulf region for communication among the continents as well as its oil resources. The GCC member states, he said, are working to make the region stable and secure, and evil and terrorism will be defeated through this unity and solidarity.

On arrival in Kuwait, Prince Nayef stated that acts of terrorism are rejected by all Islamic and Arab peoples, and that those who commit them are abusing religion. He went on to confirm that the Saudi security forces have eliminated the major elements of terrorism in the Kingdom.

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