CAIRO – Media has a pivotal role to play in combating terror in all its ramifications, Minister of Media Turki Bin Abdullah Al-Shabanah, has said.

In his speech at the opening of a meeting of Arab information ministers in Cairo on Wednesday, Al-Shabanah highlighted Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s remarks at the Kingdom's hosting of the three Gulf, Arab and Islamic summits during Ramadan, where the King stressed Saudi Arabia's keenness to promote development and prosperity, and achieve lasting peace for the countries and peoples of the region. King Salman’s remarks, Al-Shabanah said, sought to make the Arab world an influential economic and cultural center in the world, reflecting the economic, cultural and historical capabilities of our countries and peoples.

On the vexed Palestinian issue, Al-Shabanah said the Kingdom will work with all capabilities ensuring that the Palestinian people regain their usurped rights, foremost of which is the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds) as its capital, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Arab initiative.

On the scourge of terrorism, Al-Shabanah said there was a need to combat this devastating phenomenon by activating the pivotal role of Arab media.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has spared no effort in addressing the phenomenon of terrorism and cooperation with relevant parties internationally and regionally,” he said.

Al-Shabanah further said: “During the holy month of Ramadan, commercial vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, were subjected to subversive operations near the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates. The attack in Ramadan soiled the sanctity of the holy month. Our country has also been subjected to terrorist operations recently by drones, targeting oil installations, in addition to several operations targeting civilian airports in the cities of Abha and Jazan by the Iranian-backed terrorist militia.”

He stressed that these operations are not only targeting the Arab region, but also pose a grave threat to the security of air and sea navigation and energy supplies in the world.

He said there was a dire need to unite to work with all force and firmness to fight terrorism, save innocent lives and preserve properties through the implementation of specific informative and awareness programs on this dangerous and destructive phenomenon. — SPA