RIYADH: The Kingdom is making great efforts to combat the financing of Daesh, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Thursday.
Speaking at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after a ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that threat of the terrorist organization is not limited to Sahel countries, but rather extends to the whole world.
Prince Faisal said the Kingdom is working with Africa to confront terrorist organizations and that it has a responsibility toward Africa as an important source of cooperation.
He added that it is unfortunate that developed countries are refusing to take back their citizens from Syria’s Al-Hol displacement camp that houses refugees and families of Daesh fighters, including thousands of foreigners.
“They (Lebanon) cannot carry this burden of two million Syrian refugees for much longer. And in order to avoid a situation where they are at risk, we need to find a way for them to return safely,” Prince Faisal said.
The foreign minister said China was an important partner for the Kingdom and the region, but affirmed the strength of Saudi-American relations during the conference and said the Kingdom continues to develop security and military relations with America.
In turn, Blinken expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom’s contributions to the coalition against Daesh, and said that the US is working closely with Saudi Arabia on the situation in Yemen.
Blinken added that Saudi Arabia is leading diplomatic campaigns for a cease-fire in Sudan and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
He added that the Kingdom is witnessing remarkable development and has embarked on a huge and historic effort to modernize its economy.
The secretary of state said US relations with Gulf countries are important to America and countries in the region.
Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday evening ahead of the ministerial meeting, and the two vowed to work together to advance stability, security, and prosperity across the Middle East and beyond.
Besides, The GCC Council members and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a joint statement on achieving political and economic stability in the region after a meeting in Riyadh on Thursday.
The committee highlighted the importance and promise of infrastructure projects to promote regional integration and interconnectivity, contributing to regional stability and prosperity.
Navigational rights and freedoms were also discussed and the security of vessels traveling through the region was highlighted.
The ministers reiterated the importance of confronting terrorism and violent extremism worldwide and welcomed the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS ministerial meeting, held today in Riyadh. –Agencies
