(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today in Jeddah, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal held a joint press conference with the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Iyad bin Ameen Madani, following the 41st session of the Foreign Ministers Council of the OIC. During his remarks, Prince Saud dismissed accusations made by Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki that the Kingdom supports terrorism, and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of all forms of terrorism, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

As for Al-Maliki’s accusation of Saudi Arabia being a sponsor of terrorism, Prince Saud said, “I heard the accusation, and it wasn’t made by some Iraqi officials, but rather by the Iraqi Premier, who accused the Kingdom of sponsoring terrorism. This accusation is ridiculous. This comes after the Kingdom issued a statement criminalizing terrorism, specifically the acts perpetuated by ISIS.” 

“I believe the Kingdom is one of the countries that has suffered the most from terrorism and continues to fight terrorism internally, as well as through international cooperation.” Prince Saud added, “If there is any advice to give to the Iraqi official to wipe out terrorism in his country, it would be to follow the Saudi policies, instead of accusing the Kingdom of supporting terrorism.”

“Terrorists have made gains on the ground because the Iraqi government, led by a prime minister who practiced absolute power in his hands, has paved the way for terrorists to do what they like through maladministration, consolidation of sectarianism and biased treatment of the people of one country,” said Prince Saud.

Prince Saud reaffirmed condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations of extremism, stressing its contradiction to the Islamic values which calls for moderation, openness, tolerance, dialogue and pluralism.