(WASHINGTON, DC) - Saudi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud spoke about the importance of global collaboration in combating international extremism after a meeting yesterday with French President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

In a joint communique, the two sides stressed that terrorism is a global phenomenon threatening all societies and is not linked to any race or belief.

“Saudi Arabia realized the danger posed by terrorism to the international community from early on,” said Crown Prince Salman. He hailed the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s call upon the international community to do more to combat terrorism and reemphasized the importance of supporting the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre. The Crown Prince reiterated the Kingdom’s urgent appeal to all peace-loving countries to quickly contribute to strengthening this Centre as a major pillar of international cooperation to combat terrorism, which is a global security threaten.

In August, King Abdullah provided the Centre with a donation of $100 million to enhance its capabilities and effectiveness in helping countries combat terrorism. King Abdullah called for the establishment of an international center for this purpose more than 10 years ago, out of his firm belief that terrorism can be most effectively fought when nations work closely together in all areas, including the sharing of information.