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Riyadh: Saudi Arabia will activate the security agreement with Iran, calling for Tehran to hand over wanted Saudi militias in Iran.
"We have a security agreement with the Iranian side and I have repeated the request to Iran to hand over [the wanted ones] when I met the Iranian ambassador [on Saturday] and we will work together to activate the security agreement," said Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz, Interior Minister.
Commenting on recent Iranian threats to strike neighbouring countries if attacked by the United States, Prince Nayef said: "I think the brothers in Iran realise well that it is not in the interest of Iran to be a source of causing harm to their neighbours and brothers, and at the same time these countries will not cause harm to Iran."
He said mutual respect and realisation of responsibility make all parties resort to logic, adding that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states' relations with Iran would develop from better to best.
Iraqi situation
"We hope that our Iranian brothers would give Iraq the necessary concern and support that prevent intervention in Iraq's affairs as adoption of an ideology does not mean a justification for intervention in the international affairs of other countries and in the case of Iraq, and intervention should be for the unity of all Iraqis," Prince Nayef pointed out, referring to the Shiite doctrine in Iran and Iran's influence in Iraqi domestic affairs.
Prince Nayef described the situation in Iraq as "painful". "No doubt the situation in Iraq has affected the whole region and we, as a neighbouring country, no doubt have been affected," the minister said.
He indicated that regrettably Iraq has become a haven for anyone involved in terrorism with availability of terror training and assistance, adding that this is a painful matter, which has repercussions not only in Iraq but in other countries, including the kingdom.
Asked whether any suspected Saudis were handed over by the Iraqi authorities, Prince Nayef said: "Regrettably we did not receive anyone and we do understand the present condition of the Iraqi authorities."
Prince Nayef said he has no information about Saudis fighting along with Fatah Al Islam in Lebanon.
"We have no confirmed information or details about this matter and, regrettably, there may be Saudis among them," he added.
Prince Naif pointed out that almost all suspects apprehended by the Saudi security forces in connection with the terrorist attacks have been questioned. He said that two courts, one in Riyadh and the other in Jeddah, were established to deal with the cases, adding that these courts work long hours to finish the cases fast. He added that verdicts have been issued against some suspects without giving further details.
Guantanamo issue
In what is seen by observers as support to the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV), which came under attack following a recent accident involving a member of its field personnel, Prince Nayef said the commission was not responsible for the death of a Saudi in a CPVPV detention cell in Tabuk two weeks ago.
He said that initial investigations show that the commission did not have any role in the death. He asked the Saudi media not to jump to conclusions by accusing the commission or exaggerate events.
Prince Nayef said Saudi Arabia was still talking with the United States about Saudis under detention in Guantanamo.
"We are working on that and a Saudi security committee was in the United States and, God willing, we will solve [the issue]," the minister said.
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