MANAMA: Interior ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries held their 38th meeting in Manama on Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. It was held under the presidency of Bahraini Interior Minister Gen. Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, with the participation of GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf. Ministers expressed their gratitude for Bahrain’s efforts in supporting joint GCC action and enhancing integration among member countries in various fields. They praised the support and interest of GCC countries’ leaders in enhancing security cooperation and integration among members. They emphasized member countries solidarity and full support for Saudi Arabia in whatever security steps it took to protect its security, stability and the safety of its territories. Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif said the security and stability in Gulf states set a good example, thanks to the leadership, support and assistance in confronting terrorism, crime, and everything that disturbed the security and safety of citizens and residents, compared to what was happening in the deteriorating conditions of some countries that had lost the most basic elements of security and stability. Prince Abdulaziz said: “Our responsibilities have grown bigger to preserve the security, stability, development and growth that our countries have achieved, which requires us to increase cooperation and coordination among our security services to make the future safer so that the process of construction and prosperity continues to meet the aspirations of our leaderships and peoples. “The challenges facing security are many, whether in terms of all types of crime, drug smuggling, terrorism, or infiltration through borders, which requires joint efforts to face such challenges. I am sure that we are capable, through cooperation, to face and eliminate every security challenge.” Ministers also stressed the need to intensify collective efforts to protect the GCC against drugs that targeted these countries and their citizens, highlighting the significance of adopting a general vision to deal with narcotics and their impact on all segments of society, and enhancing rehabilitation programs through the cooperation of public and private sector institutions to fortify society against the dangers and repercussions of drugs. They also reiterated the importance of intensifying coordination and cooperation among GCC bodies concerned with combating organized crime and terrorism that targeted the security and stability of GCC countries.