Saudi Arabia kicks off Islamic counter-terrorism summit

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia gathered officials from 40 Muslim countries on Sunday in the first meeting of an Islamic counter-terrorism alliance, a move Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declared a “clear signal” to extremism.

“In past years, terrorism has been functioning in all of our countries… with no coordination” among them, he said in his keynote speech.

“This ends today, with this alliance.”

Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the 40 countries were sending a “clear signal” that they would “work together to support the military, financial, intelligence and political efforts of every member state”.

Read More: Saudi Crown Prince calls Iran leader ‘new Hitler’

The summit is the first meeting of defence ministers and other senior officials from the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, which officially counts 41 members.

The alliance was announced in 2015 under the auspices of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose rapid ascent since his appointment as heir to the throne in June has shaken the political scene across the region.

The alliance groups largely, although not exclusively, Sunni-majority or Sunni-ruled countries.

It excludes Saudi Arabia’s arch-rival, as well as Syria and Iraq, whose leaders have close ties to Tehran.

Sunday’s meeting coincides with an escalation in tensions between Riyadh and Tehran, particularly over wars in Syria and Yemen and the political structure of multi-confessional Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of supporting armed groups across the Middle East, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Huthi rebels.

Read More: Saudi Arabia agency says country targeted in cyber spying campaign

The meeting also comes as several military coalitions, with backers including both Iran and key Saudi Arabian ally the United States, close in on the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

The alliance meeting in Riyadh brings together Muslim or Muslim-majority nations including Afghanistan, Uganda, Somalia, Mauritania, Lebanon, Libya, Yemen and Turkey.

Retired Pakistani general Raheel Sharif has been appointed commander-in-chief.

While the alliance officially includes Qatar, which is the target of a six-month boycott led by Saudi Arabia, organisers in Riyadh said no Qatari officials were present at the meeting.

Qatar’s flag was also absent.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain — all members of the counter terrorism alliance — abruptly cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar in June, accusing the emirate of being too close to Iran and supporting extremism.

Qatar denies the allegations.