Saudi crown prince receives CIA honor for anti-terror efforts

Saudi crown prince receives CIA honor for anti-terror efforts
Arab News – 11 February, 2017
http://www.gulfinthemedia.com/index.php?id=794741&news_type=Top&lang=en

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of
interior, has been awarded a CIA honor in recognition of his efforts to
fight terrorism.

The crown prince was awarded the “George Tenet” medal by CIA Director Mike
Pompeo, who arrived to Riyadh late Friday.

It was granted in recognition of distinguished intelligence work in the
fight against terrorism and the crown prince’s contributions toward security
and peace.

In a statement issued on the occasion, the crown prince said the award
represents international recognition of the Kingdom’s anti terrorism efforts
under the directives of King Salman.

He also recognized the efforts of the brave Saudi men and women of the
different security agencies and the cooperation of the Saudi public in
addressing the terror epidemic.

“The Kingdom has been keen to combat terrorism based on its conviction that
terrorism has no identity and no religion, and from its belief that the
terrorists are committing these acts stemming from their deviant ideologies
and evil thought. All negative religious, political and social ideologies
that use religion as a tool throughout human history, do not reflect the
absolute truth about religion,” the crown prince said.

He stressed that Saudi Arabia will spare no efforts in fighting terrorism,
adding that the Kingdom has succeeded in thwarting several terror plots
including some targeting other friendly countries.

“Combating terrorism requires a joint international effort at all levels;
financially, intellectually, militarily and through the media. This should
be coordinated and conducted in accordance with the UN’s covenants and laws
including particularly the principle of sovereign equality,” he said.

Commenting on Saudi-US ties, the crown prince described them as “strong and
historic,” adding that the two sides will not allow anything or anyone to
come between them or cause damage to those ties.