RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 9 (UPI) -- Riyadh is a leader in the international effort to combat extremism around the world, Saudi King Abdallah said at the annual session of the unicameral assembly.
The Saudi king told leaders at the annual session of the Consultative Assembly in Riyadh that his kingdom favored a peaceful region that advocates the elimination of hatred.
"At the international level, our position is clear and based on friendship and promotion of peace among peoples and nations," he said.
Riyadh has moved in recent years to crack down on extremists within its borders. A security court in February handed out a 10-year prison sentence to a Saudi citizen accused of raising money for al-Qaida. A seven-year sentence was given to another Saudi suspected of encouraging others to fight for al-Qaida.
The sentences were part of a sweeping investigation of 179 cases involving 330 people suspected of terrorist ties in Saudi Arabia.
On regional concerns, Abdallah thanked Saudi troops for their bravery exhibited in fighting along the southern border with Yemen. Saudi troops scuffled with Houthi fighters following a Yemeni assault on the Shiite rebel group in August.
Abdallah said the government would donate 10,000 housing units to those displaced by the fighting in the south.
He noted, however, that his kingdom joined the international security in its pursuit of peace.
"We have the same objectives -- to spread security, peace, counter terrorism and corruption in all its forms, and establish principles of development, progress, prosperity and civilization," he said.
