RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif reiterated on Wednesday Saudi Arabia’s unequivocal condemnation of Iranian attacks on countries in the region, emphasizing that such actions are unjustifiable under any pretext or circumstances.
In his address at the opening of the 43rd session of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, delivered via video conference, Prince Abdulaziz noted that the meeting convenes amid prevailing regional situation marked by Iranian attacks on several Arab countries in the region.
The Minister of Interior underscored that the Kingdom firmly denounces these assaults, which have heightened risks to civilians and critical infrastructure. “This aggression constitutes a serious threat to the security and stability of the region and cannot be justified under any pretext or in any manner. Moreover, Iran’s continued efforts to destabilize the region represent a violation of international conventions and pose a threat to international peace and security,” he stated.
Prince Abdulaziz emphasized that confronting these evolving security challenges necessitates the development of a comprehensive, multi-dimensional framework encompassing human, intellectual, technological, and societal capacities, particularly as security is no longer distinct from the knowledge economy.
Prince Abdulaziz, who is also honorary President of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, drew attention to the global rise in organized crime, illicit drug trafficking, extremism, terrorism, and cybercrime, within a context marked by rapid geopolitical and technological changes. He pointed out that transnational organized crime networks are evolving, the synthetic drug economy is growing, and digital technologies are being exploited to spread extremism, launder money, and traffic in persons, particularly in fragile or conflict-affected areas. Cybercrime, digital fraud, and ransomware attacks have become widespread and impactful threats, exacerbated by the increasing use of artificial intelligence tools.
The minister noted that societies investing in research, knowledge, and innovation are best positioned to formulate forward-looking, proactive security policies, as these elements form the foundation for the prosperity of peoples and the stability of nations. “The stronger societal resilience becomes, the deeper Arab partnerships grow, and the more advanced knowledge capabilities are, the closer the region moves toward achieving sustainable security that fulfills the aspirations of the Arab world, both now and in the future,” he emphasized.
Source: Saudi Gazette