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Arab Counter-Terrorism Conference Held in Tunis

ArabLeagueThe 11th Arab conference on combating terrorism was held this past week in the Tunisian capital of Tunis. The two-day event, convened by the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, brought together officials from the region's counter-terrorism establishments to address various issues stemming from terrorism. In addition to the council, representatives from the Arab League and the Riyadh-based Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) participated in the conference, while it was also reported that a meeting of Arab terrorism experts was held on its sidelines.

At the opening of the event, the Secretary General of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers stressed the role of social and religious institutions in countering the grassroots aspect of the jihadist terrorism phenomenon. He also called for increased cooperation between the security services and news agencies in discouraging violence and promoting a ‘culture of peace’. The agenda also included discussions on tackling terrorism financing and examining developments in the structures of terrorist organizations.

At the conclusion of the conference, Al-Hayat reported that officials urged religious figures/clerics to play an increased role in countering ideologies propagated by extremist groups. It also cited a source as stating that recommendations to strengthen coordination between Arab security services on terrorism will be raised at next year's annual conference of Arab interior ministers.

Providing for some political spin, Syria's SANA News Agency states that Syrian representatives at the event called for the organization of a conference aimed at distinguishing between legitimate resistance groups defending against occupations and terrorist organizations. This is not surprising given its relationship with Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as its classification as a state sponsor of terrorism by the US State Department.

While not mentioned specifically, one would imagine that the issue of terrorist networks/individuals from the various Arab states partaking in the Iraq conflict might be a cause for concern, assuming that they may return home to setup shop or join up with domestic-based groups. This was the case for many Arab members of the Afghan jihad in the early 1990's who resettled in Egypt and Algeria.

There are other groups today, such as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Algeria) – whose pedigree can be traced to the Afghan Arab jihadists – that have already taken root domestically. Perhaps the complexity of the terrorism threat, one comprised of entities with varying capabilities and centers of gravity, warrants a comprehensive approach towards the threat in the region. Thus, grassroots initiatives aimed at the ‘war of ideas’ within domestic social and religious institutions, combined with regional cooperative efforts to dismantle and disrupt networks, could be viewed as key components of an effective counter-terrorism strategy for the Arab states.

 

Author

Pete Ajemian

Pete Ajemian is a New York-based analyst who has written on topics of political violence, terrorism, and Arab media politics. He has conducted research for US law enforcement and recently completed graduate studies at the University of St. Andrews where his dissertation research examined issues dealing with new media, politics and security in the Arab world. His interest in Arab political media developed over the course of his Arabic language studies in Lebanon and the US. He has also written previously on the subject for issues of Arab Media & Society.

Areas of Focus:
New Media; Politics; Security;

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