Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi Ambassador to the US, has confirmed the firm stand of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against terrorism.
Addressing the annual conference of the Middle East Institute, which began its deliberations here on Tuesday, Prince Turki highlighted the significant role of the Kingdom in fighting terrorism and realizing peace in the Middle East.
He noted that the terrorists constitute a deviant group, and their ideas run counter to the teachings of Islam.
"Despite the fact that the Kingdom was a victim of terrorism, it was still accused by certain quarters of financing terrorism", he said.
Praising the Kingdom's role in combating terrorism, Prince Turki said the Kingdom had earlier organized an international conference for fighting terrorism, which was held with the participation of experts from more than 50 countries.
"To fight terrorism, so many problems, like the Arab-Israeli dispute and the unstable situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, should be settled", he said.
Prince Turki underscored the importance of the Arab peace initiative earlier presented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, and approved by the Arab Summit in Beirut in 2002.
He pointed out that the Arab peace initiative calls for the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, as well as putting an end to the Arab-Israeli dispute.
Prince Turki said war against terrorism was not a war between the east and the west or between Islam and Christianity.
"All civilizations should cooperate in confronting terrorism and fanaticism", he said.
Prince Turki lauded the role of the Middle East Institute in spreading facts and information, as well as in exchanging views about peace and stability in the Middle East.
