(WASHINGTON, DC) –  Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz said today that the government’s top priorities are economic development in Saudi Arabia and ensuring the country’s security. King Salman made his remarks in his first address to the Consultative Council since his ascension to the throne. His speech officially inaugurated the fourth session of the council body.  

“Terrorism is a global scourge that has hurt many countries and people, as it has no religion or homeland,” said King Salman. He said that Saudi Arabia has suffered from the scourge of terrorism and that the Kingdom will continue to firmly and decisively fight terrorism. 

King Salman discussed the recent creation of the Saudi-led Islamic military alliance, promising that the Kingdom will continue to spare no effort in combatting terrorism and maintaining international security and peace in the world.  

“Combatting and addressing terrorism, uprooting it and draining its resources is, no doubt, a joint international responsibility, as its danger surrounds everybody,” said King Salman. 

King Salman said Saudi Arabia was committed to defending Arab and Islamic causes, especially the Palestinian right to an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

On Yemen, King Salman said that since the beginning of the crisis, the Kingdom has called for a political solution in accordance with the GCC initiative, the outcomes of the national comprehensive dialogue and Security Council resolution 2216. 

King Salman called for a political settlement to the crisis in Syria, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia is striving to maintain Syria as a unified nation that includes all sects. He said the solution would be to form a transitional government made up of moderate opposition forces, ensure the unity of Syrians, and achieve the departure of foreign forces and terrorist organizations. King Salman also said that militant groups “would never find fertile ground in Syria except for the Syrian regime’s policies, which led to the extermination of hundreds of thousands of Syrians and the displacement of millions.”

On economic development, King Salman said Saudi Arabia is committed to diversifying income resources and reducing its dependency on oil. “Our vision of economic reform is based on raising the efficiency of government spending, taking advantage of our economic resources and increasing the returns on government investment,” said King Salman.