Defense ministers’ talks to step up fight against terror

Defense ministers of 41 member states of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) will attend the coalition’s inaugural meeting on Sunday with an aim to “unite and coordinate” their counterterrorism efforts.
This high-profile meeting will be addressed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense.
Crown Prince Mohammed will emphasize IMCTC coalition members’ commitment to unite and coordinate their counterterrorism efforts and join other international initiatives.
The defense ministers will discuss a range of measures to help counter the threat on regional and international levels.
“The biggest challenge in the 21st century, especially in the Muslim world, is confronting the dangerous phenomenon of terrorism … and the coalition encompasses an integrated approach to coordinate and unite on the four key domains(strategic focus; ideology; communications; terror finance; military initiatives),” said Gen. Raheel Sharif, IMCTC military commander, in a recent press statement.
The meeting is significant considering that around one-third of the Arab world, besides several nations of Muslim world, are embroiled in conflicts caused mainly by terror groups.
Speaking at the Italian Parliament on Friday, Mohammed bin Amin Al-Jeffery, deputy speaker of the Shoura Council, said: “The establishment of the IMCTC reflects the Kingdom’s commitments to combat terrorism. Saudi Arabia has signed UN agreements on combating terrorism and its funding besides several other bilateral and international agreements to curb money laundering.”