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Judicial review on UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia 

The High Royal Court of Justice in UK has dismissed the claim brought by the Campaign Against Arms Trade against the UK Secretary of State for International Trade

There are a number of key conclusions made by Lord Justice Burnett and Mr. Justice Haddon-Cave in their judicial review. In summary, the Court held that “…the Open and Closed evidence demonstrated that the Secretary of State was rationally entitled to conclude as follows:

  1. the Coalition were not deliberately targeting civilians;
  2. Saudi processes and procedures have been put in place to secure respect for the principles of International Humanitarian Law;
  3. the Coalition was investigating incidents of controversy, including those involving civilian casualties;
  4. the Saudi authorities has throughout engaged in constructive dialogue with the UK about both its processes and incidents of concern;
  5. Saudi Arabia has been, and remains, genuinely committed to compliance with International Humanitarian Law; and
  6. there was no ‘real risk’ that there might be ‘serious violations’ of International Humanitarian Law (in its various manifestations) such that UK arm sales to Saudi Arabia should be suspended or cancelled”

In its conclusion, the review also notes the Saudis continue to seek to improve their process and increase the professionalism of their Armed Forces. It also states that Saudis have been receptive to high-level military visits from the UK and have shown willingness to learn from UK experience and take on board UK advice.

The full judicial review can be read here. A summary of the judicial review can be read here

  • July 13, 2017

Supporting extremism and terrorism will not be tolerated    

For Immediate Release

Brussels, 6 July 2017. The Ambassadors of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates jointly express their disappointment with the negative response received from the State of Qatar regarding the calls for it to fulfill its obligations to stop supporting extremism and terrorism. The position taken by Qatar makes it clear that it does not intend to retract from its policies and practices threatening international, European and Arab national security and peace.

The position of our four countries, reaffirmed by our respective Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting in Cairo on July 5th,  is based on the adherence to international conventions, charters and resolutions as well as the principles stipulated in the charters of the United Nations, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the conventions on combating international terrorism.  The relationship between Arab peoples and the people of Qatar remains of high importance for us. We hope that wisdom prevails and that the State of Qatar makes the right decision.

In particular, we wish to emphasize the following principles, largely shared by the international community, which the State of Qatar must adhere to in order to bring itself out of isolation.

1. Commitment to combat extremism and terrorism in all its forms and to prevent their financing or the provision of safe havens.

2. Prohibiting all acts of incitement and all forms of expression which spread, incite, promote or justify hatred and violence.

3 – Full commitment to the 2013 Riyadh Agreement and the supplementary agreement and its executive mechanism for 2014 within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States.

4 – Commitment to all the outcomes of the Arab-Islamic-US Summit held in Riyadh in May 2017.

5. Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of States and from supporting illegal entities.

6. The responsibility of all States of international community to confront all forms of extremism and terrorism as a threat to international peace and security.

The four countries affirmed that supporting extremism, terrorism and interfering in the internal affairs of the Arab countries is a matter that cannot be tolerated or procrastinated and that the list of demands made to the State of Qatar came within the framework of ensuring adherence to the six principles outlined above, as well as to protecting Arab national security, maintaining international peace and security, combating extremism and terrorism, and providing the appropriate conditions to reach a political settlement in a number of the region’s crises. It is no longer possible to tolerate the destructive role being played by the State of Qatar.

The measures taken and sustained by our countries are the result of the State of Qatar’s violations of its obligations and commitments under international law and its continued interference in the affairs of Arab States and its support for extremism and terrorism and their consequent threats to the security of the region.

We are grateful and appreciate all efforts being made by the Emir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to resolve this crisis with the State of Qatar. We express our dismay over the State of Qatar’s negligence, lack of seriousness and its negative response in dealing with the roots of the problem, as well as its lack of understanding of the gravity of the situation.

We believe that the time has come for the international community to shoulder its responsibilities and to put an end to the support of extremism and terrorism. There is no room in the international community for any entity or party involved in practicing, supporting or financing of extremism and terrorism or for it to be a partner in the efforts of peaceful settlement of political crises in the region.

Ehab FAWZY, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt 

Abdulrahman S. ALAHMED, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Bahiya J. ALJISHI , Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain

Mohamed I. ABUSHAHAB , Ambassador of United Arab Emirates 

 

Le soutien à l’extrémisme et au terrorisme ne sera pas toléré

Communiqué de presse conjoint issu par les Ambassadeurs de la République Arabe d’Egypte, du Royaume d’Arabie Saoudite, du Royaume du Bahreïn et des Emirats Arabes Unis. (Traduction depuis la version originale en anglais)

Bruxelles le 6 juillet 2017 – Les Ambassadeurs d’Egypte, d’Arabie Saoudite, du Bahreïn et des Emirats Arabes Unis ont conjointement exprimé leur déception suite à la réponse négative qu’ils ont reçue de l’Etat du Qatar concernant l’appel de remplir ses obligations en cessant de soutenir l’extrémisme et le terrorisme. La position du Qatar confirme qu’il n’entend pas se rétracter de la politique et des pratiques qui menacent la sécurité et la paix internationale, européenne et arabe.

La position de nos quatre pays, réaffirmée par nos Ministres des Affaires Etrangères respectifs durant leur réunion au Caire le 5 juillet, est basée sur le respect des conventions internationales, les chartes et les résolutions ainsi que sur les principes stipulés dans les chartes des Nations Unies, de la ligue Arabe et l’Organisation de la Coopération Islamique, ainsi que les conventions sur la lutte contre le terrorisme international. La relation entre les peuples arabes et le peuple du Qatar reste d’une haute importance pour nous. Nous espérons que la sagesse puisse prévaloir et que l’Etat du Qatar prenne les bonnes décisions.

Nous souhaitons souligner en particulier les principes suivants, largement partagés par la communauté internationale, auxquels le Qatar doit adhérer afin de sortir de l’isolation.

  1. L’engagement de combattre l’extrémisme et le terrorisme dans toutes leurs formes et d’empêcher leur financement ou de les protéger.
  2. L’interdiction de tout acte d’incitation et toute forme d’expression qui propage, incite, promeut ou justifie la haine et la violence.
  3. L’engagement total à l’accord de Riyadh de 2013, à l’accord supplémentaire et ses mécanismes d’exécution pour 2014 dans le cadre du Conseil de Coopération des Pays Arabes du Golfe (C.C.G.).
  4. L’engagement vis-à-vis de toutes conclusions du sommet Arabe-Islamique-US tenu à Riyadh en May 2017.
  5. L’abstention d’intervenir dans les affaires internes des Etats et de soutenir les entités illégales.
  6. La responsabilité de tous les Etats de la communauté internationale est de combattre toutes les formes d’extrémisme et de terrorisme qui représentent une menace pour la paix et la sécurité internationale.

Les quatre pays affirment que le soutien à l’extrémisme, au terrorisme et l’ingérence dans les affaires internes des pays arabes, est une question qui ne peut être tolérée ou tergiversée. La liste des exigences faites à l’Etat du Qatar reflète la nécessité de garantir son adhésion aux six principes énoncés ci-dessus. Ces exigences visent à protéger la sécurité nationale arabe, maintenir la paix et la sécurité internationales, combattre l’extrémisme et le terrorisme, fournir les conditions appropriées pour parvenir à un règlement politique dans un nombre de crises régionales. Il n’est plus possible de tolérer le rôle destructif mis en œuvre par l’Etat du Qatar.

Les mesures prise et soutenues par nos pays sont le résultat des violations commises par l’Etat du Qatar contre ses obligations et engagements en vertu du droit international et son ingérence continue dans les affaires des pays arabes, de son support de l’extrémisme et du terrorisme ainsi que leur menace significative à la sécurité de la région.

Nous sommes reconnaissants et apprécions tous les efforts fournis par l’Emir de l’Etat du Koweit Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah dans le but de résoudre cette crise avec l’Etat du Qatar. Nous exprimons notre consternation à l’égard de la négligence de l’Etat du Qatar, son manque de sérieux et sa réponse négative pour traiter les racines du problème, ainsi que son manque de compréhension de la gravité de la situation.

Nous croyons qu’il est temps que la communauté internationale prenne ses responsabilités et  mette fin au soutien de l’extrémisme et du terrorisme. Il n’y a pas de place au sein de la communauté internationale pour les parties ou les entités qui pratiquent ou financent l’extrémisme et le terrorisme, ou pour être partenaire des efforts de règlements pacifiques des crises politiques dans la région.

Ehab FAWZY, Ambassadeur de la République Arabe d’Egypte

Abdulrahman S. ALAHMED, Ambassadeur du Royaume d’Arabie Saoudite

Bahiya J. ALJISHI, Ambassadeur du Royaume de Bahreïn

Mohamed I. ABUSHAHAB, Ambassadeur des Emirats Arabes Unis.

 

بيان إعلامي مشترك صادر عن سفراء كل من جمهورية مصر العربية، المملكة العربية السعودية، مملكة البحرين ودولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة

” لن يتم التسامح مع دعم التطرف والإرهاب “

بروكسل في  6 يوليو 2017م

أعرب سفراء كل من جمهورية مصر العربية، والمملكة العربية السعودية، ومملكة البحرين، والإمارات العربية المتحدة عن خيبة أملهم إزاء الرد السلبي الصادر عن دولة قطر بشأن الدعوات إلى الوفاء بالتزاماتها لوقف دعم التطرف والإرهاب وتمويلهما. ويوضح الموقف الذي إتخذته قطر، عدم نيتها في التراجع عن سياساتها وممارساتها التي تهدد الأمن القومي والعربي والدولي والعالمي والأوروبي.

إن موقف دولنا الأربعة، الذي تم التأكيد عليه مجددا خلال اجتماع وزراء الخارجية في القاهرة يوم 5 يوليو 2017م ، يقوم على أساس الالتزام بالاتفاقيات والمواثيق والقرارات الدولية، وكذلك المبادئ المنصوص عليها في مواثيق الأمم المتحدة وجامعة الدول العربية ومنظمة التعاون الإسلامي واتفاقيات مكافحة الإرهاب الدولي.

ولا تزال العلاقة بين الشعوب العربية وشعب قطر ذات أهمية كبيرة بالنسبة لنا، ونأمل أن تسود الحكمة وأن تتخذ دولة قطر القرار السليم.

ونود أن نشدد بشكل خاص، على المبادئ التالية التي يتقاسمها المجتمع الدولي إلى حد كبير، والتي يجب على دولة قطر أن تلتزم بها من أجل الخروج من العزلة.

١- الالتزام بمكافحة التطرف والإرهاب بجميع أشكاله ومنع تمويله أو وتوفير الملاذات الآمنة.

٢- منع جميع أعمال التحريض وجميع أشكال التعبير التي تنشر أو تحرض أو تشجع أو تبرر الكراهية والعنف.

٣- الالتزام الكامل بإتفاقية الرياض لعام 2013م والاتفاق التكميلي وآلياته التنفيذية لعام 2014م، في إطار مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربي.

٤- الالتزام بكافة مخرجات القمة العربية الإسلامية / الأمريكية التي عقدت في الرياض في مايو 2017 م.

٥- الامتناع عن التدخل في الشؤون الداخلية للدول ودعم الكيانات الخارجة عن القانون.

٦- مسؤولية كافة دول المجتمع الدولي في مواجهة كل أشكال التطرف والإرهاب بوصفها تهديدا للسلم والأمن الدوليين.

أكدت الدول الأربعة أن دعم التطرف والإرهاب والتدخل في الشؤون الداخلية للدول العربية أمر لا يمكن التساهل فيه أو المماطلة، وأن قائمة المطالب المقدمة إلى دولة قطر تأتي في إطار ضمان التقيد بالمبادئ الــ6 المبينة، فضلا عن حماية الأمن القومي العربي والحفاظ على الأمن والسلم الدوليين ومكافحة التطرف والإرهاب، وتوفير الظروف الملائمة للتوصل إلى تسوية سياسية  لعدد من أزمات المنطقة. كما لم يعد من الممكن التسامح مع الدور المدمر الذي تقوم به دولة قطر.

تأتي التدابير التي إتخذتها بلداننا والتي تحافظ عليها، نتيجة لانتهاكات دولة قطر لالتزاماتها وتعهداتها، بموجب القانون الدولي وإستمرار تدخلها في شؤون الدول العربية ودعمها للتطرف والإرهاب وما يترتب على ذلك من تهديدات لأمن المنطقة.

نحن ممتنون ونقدر كل الجهود التي يبذلها  أمير دولة الكويت الشيخ / صباح الأحمد الصباح لحل هذه الأزمة مع دولة قطر. ونعرب عن إستيائنا إزاء إهمال دولة قطر وعدم جديتها وإستجابتها السلبية في التعامل مع جذور المشكلة، فضلا عن عدم فهمها لخطورة الوضع.

 نعتقد أن الوقت قد حان لكي يتحمل المجتمع الدولي مسؤولياته وأن يضع حدا لدعم التطرف والإرهاب. ليس هناك مجال في المجتمع الدولي لأي كيان أو طرف يشارك في ممارسة أو دعم أو تمويل التطرف والإرهاب، أو أن يكون شريكا  في جهود التسوية السلمية للأزمات السياسية في المنطقة.

إيهاب فوزي، سفير جمهورية مصر العربية

عبد الرحمن سليمان الأحمد، سفير  المملكة العربية السعودية

بهية ج. الجشي، سفيرة مملكة البحرين

محمد أبوشهاب، سفير دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة

  • July 6, 2017

H.E. Mr Abdulrahman Alahmed, Saudi Ambassador to Belgium and Head of Mission to the EU, spoke on behalf of the Kingdom at the the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Coordination of Development Assistance for the Palestinian Authority on 4 May in Brussels. The full text of his speech is given below.


In the name of God the Most Graceful the Most Merciful

 

Chairperson,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

At the outset, we welcome the convening of this meeting, wishing success in its work and deliberations.

 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterates its firm support for the Palestinian people and its inalienable rights, foremost of which is the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian State, in the occupied Palestinian territories since 1964, including Jerusalem, in accordance with the Constitution of the United Nations, its relevant resolutions and International legal standards and principles.
Saudi Arabia also calls for the withdrawal of Israel from all the Arab-occupied territories and an end to the construction of settlements on the Palestinian territories, which are illegal and present a serious obstacle to peace.

 

In 2002, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presented its historic Peace Initiative, which has been adopted by the Beirut Arab Summit and became an Arab initiative for peace that was equally adopted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It represented an important and historic turning point in the peace process, and set in motion a new phase to end the Arab-Israeli conflict, in addition to laying the foundation for a comprehensive and just peace, where Palestinians, Israelis and all people of the region live in harmony, security and prosperity.

 

The Amman Declaration, issued by the last Arab Countries’ Summit in March, reaffirms this initiative, strengthens the commitment of the Arab side, and calls on the Israeli side to initiate a response for peace.

 

The Palestinian issue is at the centre of the conflict in the Middle East, and is the focal point of all conflicts in the region. One of the most dangerous aspects of the conflict in Palestine are Israel’s plans to make the city of Jerusalem exclusively Jewish; to change its demographic structure, distort its Arab-Islamic identity and tamper with its Islamic holy sites.

 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia rejects any violation of Jerusalem and any attempt to circumvent the historical and religious status of 1.5 billion Muslims. The Kingdom firmly denounces any attempt to change its legal status, admit it as the capital of Israel, or transfer any embassy to it. We call on all States to abide by international resolutions in this regard.

 

Since the inception of the Palestinian cause, Saudi Arabia has committed itself to providing material and moral support to the Palestinian Authority. This support, both bilateral or through International Organizations, underpins the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people at all political, economic and humanitarian levels, either as humanitarian aid relief or as a support for reconstruction programs, in various sectors such as education, health, infrastructure and many more. In this respect, the Government of Saudi Arabia paid its full share up to March 2017, which brings the total amount paid to support the Palestinian budget, to more than 2.3 billion US dollars since 2002.

 

In this regard, we emphasize on how to improve the regularity of financial resources provided to the Palestinian Authority. In addition, the most pressing step to be made in this endeavour is to regulate and maintain the monthly transfers of tax revenues collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. The International Community should work to achieve that goal, as donors cannot step in each time Israel stops paying tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority.

 

The time has come to give the people of Palestine a peaceful and secure life. We call on all donor countries to fulfil their commitments. The international community must act to open the crossings as soon as possible, to ensure that they remain open so that donors can implement their plans and programs for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, taking into consideration that the financial support alone is not the sole solution to the problem of the Palestinians. Political support, especially from the international community, is required now: to resolve the Palestinian issue; to achieve real, lasting justice; to improve the economic, social and development conditions of the Palestinian people; and to seek lasting peace in Palestine and in the broader region.

Thank you.

 

His Excellency Mr Abdulrahman Bin Sulaiman Alahmed
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Head of the Mission to the European Union

Saudi Arabia has condemned in the strongest terms the brutal terrorist attack on Stockholm of 7 April 2017. On Friday, an official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the truck attack that occurred in the centre of the Swedish and led to the death and injury of a number of people. The ministry source offered condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and government of Sweden, to whom he expressed the kingdom’s solidarity.

The Kingdom’s sentiments were mirrored by member of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States. The GCC Secretary General Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, described the attack as a heinous terrorist crime that is contrary to moral and humanitarian values, stressing the GCC’s solidarity with the Kingdom of Sweden.

The atrocities were also denounced by the Muslims World league’s Secretary General Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Isa, who underlined the organisation’s firm stance against terrorism: “Such acts targeting innocent people and the stability and security of safe societies have nothing to do with Islam as they contradict all human and international values and principles.” He offered condolence to the families of the victims, as well as the government and people of Sweden, wishing the injured a quick recovery. Dr Al-Isa called on all world leaders to stand united in confrontation of terrorism and tackle the reasons of such acts which attempt to destabilize the world’s security and stability.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation too deplored the attacks, with the OIC Secretary General Dr Yusuf Ahmed Al-Othaimeen expressing the Organisation’s solidarity and support for the Swedish government and people, and stressing that the criminals behind this heinous crime are the most dangerous enemies of humanity.

The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent his condolences and sympathy to Egypt’s President Abdulfattah Al-Sisi following the two terrorist bombings that struck churches in the Egyptian cities of Tanta and Alexandria.

In his cable, the Monarch said he was deeply pained to receive the news of the killing and injuring of dozens of innocent citizens. He expressed in the strongest terms his denunciation and condemnation of the two sinful criminal terrorist acts, confirming to the President that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands alongside the Arab Republic of Egypt and its brotherly people against all those who attempt to threaten its security and stability.

In his own name and on behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Monarch sent his sincere condolences and sympathy to the President, the families of the victims and the Egyptian people, wishing the injured a quick recovery and the Egyptian President and people safety against any harm.

The Council of Senior Muslim Scholars also released the following statement following the horrific terrorist attack in Egypt.

“The bombings that targeted two churches in Egypt are criminal acts and forbidden by Islamic law. Muslims are in agreement that these acts are a violation to the security, stability and safety of people. A Muslim who believes in God and the Last Day will not commit such crimes. These crimes are committed by those who deviate from their faith. These acts are forbidden in Islam for they are acts of treachery, betrayal, sin and aggression.”

 

The Coalition Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen called on the United Nations to ensure the free flow of humanitarian shipments through the Port of Hodeidah. Badly needed food and medical supplies are not reaching people who need them, which is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.  The coalition also asserted that Houthi rebels are seizing and selling humanitarian supplies that pass through the port.

The following is the full statement:

“The Coalition is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Yemen. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the Yemeni population receives the food and medicines it needs.

“Hodeidah port is an important entry point for humanitarian supplies. But it is currently in the hands of the Houthi rebels, who use it to smuggle arms and people. Houthi rebels also finance their ongoing violent campaign to overthrow the legitimate government by seizing humanitarian supplies and selling them for exorbitant sums.

“We have called on the United Nations to exercise oversight of Hodeidah port to ensure the free flow of humanitarian shipments. Other ports including Aden, Mukalla and other airports are open as routes for humanitarian supplies.”

An official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strong support for the military operations carried out by the U.S. on military targets in Syria, which came in response to the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime against innocent civilians that caused the deaths of scores of people, including women and children, and is part of the ongoing horrible crimes committed by this regime over many years against the Syrian brotherly people.

The official source places the responsibility for these military operations squarely on the Syrian regime.

The source praised this courageous decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to respond to the regime’s crimes against its people in light of the failure of the international community to stop the regime from brutalizing its people.

The Saudi ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg and the head of the Mission to the EU, H.E. Mr Abdulrahman S. Alahmed, today represented the Kingdom at the international conference for the future of Syria and the surrounding region.

Hoping for a productive exchange, Ambassador Alahmed reasserted the Kingdom’s position that the unity and territorial integrity of Syria, its security and military institutions must be preserved.

The government of my country has, since the beginning of the conflict, sought to forge the peaceful solutions necessary for Syria’s future, and has cooperated with other partners and allies to avoid the human tragedy we are currently witnessing.”

Mr Alahmed recalled the success of the 2015 conference in Riyadh where the Syrian Supreme Commission of Revolutionary and Opposition Forces – the representative body entrusted with negotiating in the name of the Syrian Opposition – was established. The body, welcomed both regionally and internationally “has since served as a negotiation reference in all rounds held since that date. The body still participates in negotiations, and has demonstrated genuine efforts to be cooperative and flexible, as witnessed by all parties-“ This is in spite of the intransigence of the Assad regime and its allies, who have exploited the negotiations in order to carry out further crimes against the Syrian people.

The Ambassador underlined the Kingdom’s support for the efforts of the Special Envoy of the United Nations General Secretary Mr Staffan De Mistura and his efforts to find a political and peaceful solution that excludes Bashar al Assad. “The Kingdom supports his efforts to advance the negotiation process between the Syrian parties in Geneva and progress towards solutions based upon the first Geneva Convention, UN resolution 2254 and the other international resolutions.” He called on all parties to abide by international law and agreement on respecting ceasefires, delivering humanitarian aid and releasing detainees and abductees held by the regime and its militias.

Mr Alahmed renewed Saudi Arabia’s calls on the international community to stand firmly against the interference of Iranian militia and their efforts to impose demographic change, sectarianism and ethnic cleansing in Syria, including the forced displacement of people in the pursuit of such in some areas of the country.

Saudi Arabia, he said “affirms the importance of imposing sanctions on the perpetrators of war crimes in Syria, and in this regard, praises the UN General Assembly’s resolution 2332 issued on 22 December 2016, calling for the establishment of a retribution mechanism for war crimes in Syria, which should be activated promptly.”

The Saudi Ambassador referred to the Kingdom’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of Syrians both through substantial humanitarian aid and relief, as well as welcoming 2.5 million Syrian refugees as Saudi citizens with access to medical and educational services and the ability to take up jobs.

Substantial humanitarian aid and relief were offered either through donor’s conferences, or by national campaign programs to support our brothers in Syria, or through the “King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.” Many of these programs are still active both in Syria and in the neighbouring countries (Turkey – Jordan – Lebanon). The total value of Saudi humanitarian aid and relief has reached over 780 million US Dollars in addition to the commitments taken through donors’ conferences.”

Ambassador Alahmed

H.E. the Ambassador concluded that “It is wrong to downplay the Syrian crisis in terms of its human suffering. The extent of pain, grief and tragedy is unprecedented. Yet, perhaps the ugliest aspect of the war is the survival of the Syrian regime and its persistence in its criminal approach. Indeed, only hours ago, the news circulated that the regime was using Sarin gas in the countryside of Idlib in a new criminal move showing the indifference of this regime to international decisions and demands.”

“We remain firmly united in our outrage at Daesh’s atrocities and in our determination to eliminate this global threat and overcome its false, destructive narrative. We reiterate our commitment to an integrated, multidimensional, and comprehensive approach to defeat Daesh and its global networks, fully recognizing this will require sustained, focused efforts.”

Ministers of the Global Coalition against Da’esh, 22 March 2017

Europe has once more been struck by the scourge of terrorism. We mourn several innocent lives needlessly taken in London, and wish a full recovery to those injured. This mindless barbarism bears no resemblance to the Islam that we follow and preach, and is an affront to the peaceful religion that Da’esh and other such groups claim to represent.

It is apt now, not to submit to the terror Da’esh wishes to propagate, but rather to stand united in the face of this threat. The international community must continue to cooperate to eliminate the untiring menace of violent extremism. The simple fact is that we are more effective when we work together to counter the multiple threats we face.

Indeed, only yesterday, Foreign Ministers from the 68 countries of the Global Coalition against Da’esh met in Washington and recommitted to intensifying and accelerating their efforts to eliminate these terrorists. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is at the core of this coalition, which reflects the international community’s will to put an end to the senseless destruction and extremism Da’esh stands for.

Abdulrahman S. Alahmed
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Head of the Saudi Mission to the European Union

 

The full Statement by Ministers of the Global Coalition can be read here.

JANUARY

 

KSA Mission Newsletter January 2017

The first issue of 2017 looks into Saudi Arabia’s strong record on counter-terrorism, the Kingdom’s provision of humanitarian aid and relief to Syrians in need and foreign policy priorities, as well as giving an update on the progress made in the Vision 2030 economic roadmap for the Kingdom. The issue examines how the Riyadh metro project is set to reshape the Saudi capital, and profiles the women making their mark in a new role in the Kingdom’s airports.