Arab League chief warns of threats against Arab identity

Arab League Secretary General Nabil Al-Araby warned here on Monday of the current threats that are targeting the identity and entity of the Arab world.
Al-Araby made the remark in an inaugural speech at a two-day conference on regional security and challenges facing the Arab region, organized by the Arab League in collaboration with the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs.
The Arab world is witnessing serious challenges that constitute a major threat to its entity and identity, he said, adding this requires a comprehensive review to social aspects of life.
He condemned the culture of extremism and fundamentalism that trigger bloody violence and risks, as well as pose a threat to the Arab national security.
Al-Araby noted that religious and intellectual extremism represents a major challenge that faces the Arab countries and poses serious risks to their stability, prosperity and development.
He underscored the significance of countering the religious and intellectual extremism as they have been remaining the main cause that tears the social fabric and triggers terrorism and violence.
He said the "terrorist" movements that wear the mantle of religion and commit the heinous crimes are the most dangerous ones, noting that the "terrorist" organizations have been witnessing "quantum shifts" over the past three years.
These organizations have regular armies, seize territories and possess heavy weapons, tanks, armored vehicles and anti-aircraft missiles, he pointed out.
The "terrorist" movements have posed increasing and serious pressures on the national security of the whole Arab region, he stated.
Al-Araby called for countering the intellectual extremism and extremist organizations through a comprehensive effective strategy backed by the international community.
Meanwhile, he underlined the importance of issues and challenges discussed by the Arab League Council at the ministerial level as well as themes related to protecting the Arab national security.
He pointed out that the council took a resolution aiming at combating extremism in all its forms and the "terrorist" organizations, foremost among which is the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
A Kuwaiti delegation, headed by Director of Arab World Department Ambassador Abdel Hamid Al-Failakawi, is participating in the conference.