We Are Firmly Facing The Iranian Project - Comoros Defense Minister: Iran Vows To Send Its Rockets To Europe
29 November 2017Asharq Al-Awsat
Defense Minister of the Comoros, Yousuf Mohamed Ali, said that his country
would continue to confront the Iranian project with "determination and
firmness", as long as it tries to exploit his country's economic needs and
poverty to interfere in its internal affairs.
He also condemned Lebanese "Hezbollah's" role in destabilizing the security of
the region, stressing his country's support for Saudia Arabia's stance against
Qatar.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Ali said: "We do not accept the
interference of other countries to destabilize the security and change the
beliefs of society, and in this regard you see that the relations that existed
between the Comoros and Iran earlier have been cut definitively."
"We are fighting with the firmness and determination any groups trying to
exploit our economic needs and poverty to interfere in our internal affairs
and pass their agenda under pretexts of humanitarian work," he added.
Asked about his opinion on the first meeting of defense ministers of the
Islamic Alliance to Counter Terrorism, which was held in Riyadh on Sunday, Ali
replied: "On this occasion, I would like to express my appreciation to the
leadership of Saudi Arabia, namely King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman, for their serious efforts in fighting terrorism on the
ground."
"This meeting sends a great message to the Arab and Islamic worlds, and to all
the countries of the world, and we expect good results," he continued.
On the challenges that the Alliance would encounter in fighting terrorism, the
defense minister said: "The first challenge is to coordinate joint efforts to
combat terrorism, while the second challenge is represented by the need to
strengthen the education and training of the armed forces so as to promote
joint action, all at the same level, as well as the exchange of information
among the coalition countries."
Asked about "Hezbollah's" role in the region, Ali noted: "The Comoros condemns
any form of terrorism from any side and in any region, and we stand by Saudi
Arabia in its declared positions against these groups and militias, including
'Hezbollah' and Iran's activity in conflict zones."
As for the Qatari crisis, the minister underlined that his country was the
first to express its position on the Qatari crisis and to stand by Saudi
Arabia in this regard.
"We have clearly stated that we are severing our relations with Qatar. We
reaffirm our continuous support to the Kingdom's stance before Arab, regional
and international forums," he stressed.
We Welcome Saudi Military Base - Djibouti's Defense Minister
Djibouti's defense minister, Ali Bahdon, welcomed the presence of a Saudi
military base in his country, pointing out that the relationship with Riyadh
exceeded military cooperation, to reach historical, ideological and cultural
ties.
He added that the military agreement between the two sides has many aspects of
cooperation, including the Joint Military Commission, which meets every few
months, as well as supporting and strengthening the military forces in
Djibouti.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Bahdon said that Saudi experts had
arrived in Djibouti to assess military cooperation, and that trainees and
students from Djibouti were studying in military colleges in the Kingdom.
"There are historical, ideological and cultural relations with the Kingdom,
and we are one people who share the same values, and we have the same issues
and problems; relations are much greater now, as we are in a new phase of
geopolitical changes in the region," he stated.
Asked about the building of a Saudi military base in Djibouti, Bahdon replied:
"As you know, in terms of cooperation, there is a military agreement signed
between the two sides. This agreement has many aspects, including the Joint
Military Commission."
He noted in this regard that the military base was part of comprehensive
cooperation and the "relationship between the two countries is not limited to
the base, but it is even greater."
On whether the establishment of the Saudi military base would contribute to
combating smuggling across the sea, the defense minister stressed that it
would not be the solution to this matter, as "it has limits in which it
operates and powers that serve specific goals."
"Therefore, when we talk about military cooperation, it is a comprehensive
strategic cooperation between the two countries in various military aspects,
not in a specific sector and role," he explained.
He blamed the economic, social and security situation for the migration
outflow in the countries neighboring Djibouti, noting that these factors had
affected migrants in various nearby countries.
"We believe that the development of countries suffering from migration would
be the cornerstone for curbing this problem," Bahdon stated, underlining a
common vision between the Kingdom and Djibouti and a determination to work
together and achieve security and stability in the region.
On whether Djibouti was exchanging information with Yemen to prevent arms
smuggling to Bab al-Mandab, the minister said: "Djibouti is a member of the
Arab alliance, and it is coordinating with the different concerned parties. It
is also a country that has received many refugees from regional states,
especially from Yemen. The country has incurred major losses due to
migration."
Commenting on the outcome of the first meeting of the Islamic Alliance to
Counter Terrorism, Bahdon replied: "The next phase will see further
development and improvement of this strategy, which was launched with the
first meeting of the Council of Ministers of Defense of the Islamic Military
Coalition to Combat Terrorism, and here we congratulate Saudi Arabia on this
meeting and the important initiative" launched in this regard.
Source: Asharq Al-Awsat
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