Arab ministers eye regional security plan

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 14 (UPI) -- Arab League interior ministers have called for an integrated solution to the region's challenges in dealing with crime and terrorism.

Addressing officials of the 22-nation organization in Riyadh, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif said improved security required an all-encompassing vision by the region's leaders, Arab News reported Thursday.

Noting that King Abdallah had supported Arab, regional and international efforts to combat crimes, particularly terrorism, Naif called for enhanced cooperation and coordination between Arab League members.

Egyptian Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim, who also holds the rank of major general, said concerted efforts were needed to deal with the trafficking of weapons and drugs, as well as terrorism.

He stressed the need for developing an Arab strategy to curb the spread of guns and called for the use of new technologies to deal with newly emerging crime.

Dahu Wald Qabiliyya, the Algerian interior minister, said his country was combating terrorism and organized crime. He said the organization should develop a plan to stop groups that are threatening regional and international stability through their trafficking of guns, drugs and explosives.

Ashour al-Barasi, the Libyan interior minister, said his country's concerns were training strategies, redefining the concepts of security, improving the image of security forces and exploiting technology to promote Libya's security and stability.