Marzouki calls for revamp of Arab security

Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki has called for "new vision" of Arab security that is balanced with human rights considerations. The announcement came during his supervision of the opening of the 29th session of the annual Arab Interior Ministers conference held in Tunisia. "The Arab region is experiencing a historic turning point that responds to the demands of its people,”  said Marzouki. The Tunisian leader said typical security institutions should restructured and built on a basis of respect of freedom, dignity and safety of the Arab citizen, "which is the new and authentic role of the institution in the era of the Arab Spring”. The Tunisian president's hosting of the conference came as a surprise due to the criticism he used to direct at it while he was in exile. “No stability or investment can take place without security...this puts great responsibility on security services, and interior ministries cannot reduce the responsibilities in the form of a political police. The time has come to execute quick, radical and real reforms,” said Marzouki. The Secretary-General of the Arab Interior Ministers Council, Mohamed bin Ali Kuman said during the opening session: “Promoting mutual trust between citizens and security forces requires focus on the concept of citizenship, and to completely eliminate what could lead to a diminution of human dignity or their rights. Transformations experienced by several Arab countries confirm more than ever the need for the security, and the need to restore the psychological tranquility and social peace, as they are the basic requirements for human life.” Seventeen countries have participated in the conference, while Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia were absent. The conference mentioned a seventh Arab security plan, a fifth Arab media plan for security awareness and prevention of crime, and a draft for a fourth Arab plan for traffic security.