Saudi Gazette, 22 Sep. 2016- NEW YORK – Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif on Wednesday told the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York that the Saudi Arabia was “one of the first” countries that suffered terrorism, way before the deadly Sept. 11 attack in New York in 2001.
He said that “Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries that suffered from terrorism,”
The Crown Prince said since 1992, Saudi Arabia had confronted 100 terrorism operations, including 18 terrorist attacks “implemented by elements linked to regional countries.”
He said “before Sep. 11, Saudi Arabia had signed agreements with other Arab states to fight terrorism,” and until now it is still “waging an unrelenting war against terrorist groups.”
He added: “Saudi Arabia is now part of 12 international agreements to fight terrorism,” and it heads in “partnership” with the United States and Italy a group combating Daesh funding.
“The security apparatus in Saudi Arabia has foiled 268 terrorist operations, including operations against friendly states such as United States,” Saudi Crown Prince said.
He said combating terrorism should be a “joint international responsibility… We call for cooperation as per the international law and principles on which the UN was built, which equates the sovereignty of all nations.”
The Saudi Crown Prince also called on the international community to cooperate with the 40-member Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism (IMAFT), which was formed in late 2015. He also urged the UN to include IMAFT under its “umbrella” after Saudi Arabia funneled $110 million into the alliance to beef it up.
He urged Iran’s regime to exercise a ‘Good Neighbor policy’ and not interfere in the internal affairs of regional countries.
He said Iran was not offering “enough protection as per international agreements” after protesters stormed both the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad in January this year. The storming of the Saudi embassy and consulate has led Riyadh to sever ties with Tehran soon after the incidents.
He urged a political solution for Syria and the implementation of Geneva I accord, which stipulates a transitional government.
In Yemen, he reiterated the Saudi position over UN resolution 2216 requiring the Iran-backed Houthis militias and their allies to withdraw from areas they occupied in 2014. He also said the Houthis continue to attack Saudi borders, using ballistic missiles.