Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques calls for the need to redouble efforts to eradicate terrorism

ANTALYA 16th November 2015 (WAM) -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has stressed the need for the international community to redouble its efforts to eradicate terrorism and to rid the world of its evils that threaten world peace and security and hinder efforts in promoting global economic growth and sustainability.

In a speech during the summit of the leaders of the Group of Twenty G20 countries King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said "It was unfortunate that President Francois Hollande is not participating with us today because of the events and painful terrorist bombings that took place in Paris."

The Saudi King offered condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of France. He strongly denounced and condemned the heinous criminal acts which he said "are not sanctioned by any religion and of which Islam is completely innocent".

According to the Saudi Press Agency SPA King Salman added that the war on terrorism is the responsibility of the entire international community and it is "a global disease that has neither nationality nor religion. It as well as its funding must be fought. International cooperation must be strengthened in this regard."

He said "We have suffered in the Kingdom from terrorism. We have been keen to fight it rigorously and decisively and to address its intellectual perceptions especially those that take from the teachings of Islam a justification for them. Islam is innocent of them. It is no secret for all those who are fair that moderation and tolerance are the path of Islam and we cooperate with full force with the international community to face the phenomenon of terrorism at the security intellectual and legal levels. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia proposed the establishment of the International Centre for the Fight against Terrorism under the United Nations umbrella and donated a hundred and ten million dollars to it and we call on other countries to contribute to and support it to make it an international centre for the exchange of terrorism information and research.

"The lack of political stability and security hampers our efforts to promote the growth of the global economy. Unfortunately our region suffers from many crises notably the Palestinian cause for which the international community should continue its efforts to achieve a comprehensive and just peace that ensures the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people including the establishment of an independent state with Al-Quds as its capital. The international community must take a firm stance towards the repeated Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people and the Israeli violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"As for the Syrian crisis that led to destruction killing and displacement of the brotherly Syrian people the international community must work to find an urgent solution to it in accordance with the decisions of the Geneva 1 talks.

"With regard to the problem of Syrian refugees it is obvious for everyone that the Syrian crisis is the product of a regional and international problem. We appreciate the international efforts especially the efforts of neighbouring countries in alleviating the suffering and pain of Syrian immigrants. It is certain that addressing the roots of the problem requires finding a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis and standing by the Syrian people's right to live in dignity in their homeland. The suffering of these people is exacerbated by the inaction of the international community to find a solution.

"We have contributed to supporting international efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian brothers. We have dealt with the Syrian brethren in the Kingdom in a way that surpasses the international regulations concerning the rights of refugees migrants and expatriates King Salman said.

"With regard to the situation in Yemen the Kingdom and the coalition countries are keen to find a political solution in accordance with Security Council Resolution No. 2216. We are also keen to provide all aid and humanitarian relief aid to the brotherly Yemeni people" he reaffirmed.

"We have a favourable opportunity for cooperation and mobilisation of initiatives to find truly global solutions for the pressing challenges that are facing us in the fight against terrorism and the problem of refugees as well as in the promotion of confidence in the global economy and its growth and sustainability. We are confident that through our cooperation we can achieve this."