CAIRO: The seventh meeting of the Arab League’s counter terrorism team of experts wrapped up Thursday at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo with the aim of combating internet websites used by terrorist groups.
The meeting kicked off Wednesday with many items on the agenda, including exploring ways to combat the internet usage of terrorist groups, a medium that is used extensively by such groups.
Also on the agenda were discussions on how to increase the level of cooperation between the Arab League and the United Nations within the scope of the latter’s Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.
The Arab League had adopted in its March 2007 summit the recommendations of the UN’s Global Counter Terrorism Strategy advanced in 2006. In the wake of this adoption, the Arab League’s team of experts was formed.
The experts’ meeting is a precursor to the anticipated meeting of foreign ministers at the Arab League next Wednesday, which will tackle issues related to terrorism.
Chief amongst these is the recent tension that has erupted between Syria and Iraq, with the latter accusing the former of harboring militants responsible for truck bombings in Baghdad.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on a visit to Cairo Tuesday that it was imperative for Iraq’s neighbors to be mindful of its security and stability, alluding to both Syria and Iran.
However, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa was less circumspect in comments he made about Iran, which were published in Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida on Tuesday.
Accusing Iran of meddling in the internal affairs of Arab countries, including Iraq, Moussa said, “This interference should not take place. This is a very serious situation.
However he did urge the opening of dialogue between Iran and Arab nations, saying, “We (the Arab League) have urged Arab countries and Iran to open a dialogue. It is in our interest to start a common Arab dialogue with Iran to debate controversial issues and try to resolve them.
