The Interior Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries concluded their 24th meeting in Manama, Bahrain today. In a statement, the ministers praised the international counterterrorism conference hosted by Saudi Arabia in February 2005 and its adoption of a proposal by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to establish an international counterterrorism center.

The ministers reaffirmed the GCC’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, calling terrorism an international phenomenon that is not restricted to any country, religion or nationality. They reiterated their call for enhanced international cooperation to combat terrorism and choke off its sources of financing. The ministers also agreed on the GCC’s extradition agreement.

Deputy Minister of Interior Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, who led the Saudi delegation, issued a statement following the meeting condemning terrorism and affirming the importance of security, political and economic coordination among GCC countries. 

GCC Secretary-General Abdulrahman Al-Atiyyah told the Manama-based newspaper Al-Wasat before the meeting that the GCC ministers would review a report on combating terrorism and discuss security cooperation among GCC states.

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