US, Saudi Arabia call for action against terrorism in Riyadh Declaration

Saudi Arabia, along with 55 other Arab and Islamic countries, and the United States on Sunday released the Riyadh Declaration, covering aspects such as diplomacy, security and the fight against terrorism.

The Declaration was released to mark the end of Arab-Islamic-American leaders' summit, organized as part of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Kingdom.

The participating countries underlined the need to partnering with each other in order to “confront extremism, terrorism, achieving peace, stability and development, on regional as well as international stages,” according to Declaration statement, posted on Saudi Arabia’s state news agency SPA.

The leaders also welcomed the readiness of a number of Islamic countries to participate in the Islamic Military Coalition, which aims to combat terrorism, in order to provide a reserve force of 34,000 troops to support operations against terrorist organizations.

“They welcomed the opening of a cooperation agreement in the field of combating the financing of terrorism,” the statement said.

The participating states also highlighted the need for developing clear plans to shape the future of the youths.

The Declaration also included the need to confront “sectarian agendas and interference in other countries affairs,” with the leaders condemning “the Iranian regime’s hostile positions and continuing interference in the domestic affairs of other countries” in violation of the international law.

“The leaders (also) stressed the importance of enhancing joint action to protect regional waters, combating piracy to maintain security and stability and avoiding disruption of ports and sea lanes of ships, which negatively affected the commercial movement and economic growth of the countries,” the statement said.

The countries agreed to support joint work to develop capabilities to confront piracy, combat organized crime and drug trafficking across borders land, sea and air.