President Beji Caid Essebsi of Tunisia, on Wednesday, called on Arab countries to develop a joint security strategy to face "unprecedented" challenges in the region.

"The challenges faced by the Arab region are unprecedented from the point of view of their diversity and seriousness," Beji Caid Essebsi said in his remarks at the opening of the 33rd session of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers Wednesday in Tunis.

H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior is heading the UAE delegation to the meetings.

International political polarisation and identity, religious, ethnical and political conflicts constitute a breeding ground for the extension of armed groups, particularly Daesh, President Essebsi noted in his speech, carried by the Tunis Afrique Press (TAP) news agency.

He emphasised the need to ensure daily co-ordination between Arab security institutions and seek to modernise Arab strategies, particularly in the fight against terrorism, smuggling and organised crime.

The President of the Republic called on Arab countries to clamp down on "terrorist" militia, by criminalising membership in these groups, while monitoring their financing and controlling their access to communication technology and social networks.

Arab countries must necessarily resolve their internal conflicts and jointly address causes that feeds terrorism, he recommended. "Economic development is not less important than the fight against terrorism."

Talking about the attacks on Tunisia, he highlighted the need for a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach likely to ensure the state’s invulnerability and protect individuals and the society against extremism and violence.

He recalled Tunisia’s decision to join the international alliance against Daesh and its endorsement of the Riyadh initiative to establish an Islamic Coalition against Daesh.

On another hand, Caid Essebsi reminded of the key importance of the Palestinian cause in spreading peace and security in the region and across the world.

He called to work to bring this cause back on centre stage internationally to reach final solution to it in a defined timeframe.

Source : WAM