RIYADH, Feb 5: Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia has stressed the need for close cooperation among all countries to counter the menace of terrorism. Inaugurating a four-day international conference on counter-terrorism, he said it was wrong to equate Islam with terrorism.

The beliefs of the terrorists run against the basic teachings of Islam, Crown Prince Abdullah said.

"Terrorism does not belong to a certain religion or system, and it is carried out by evil and spiteful persons who are fond of killing and destruction," the Crown Prince said.

"The conference embodies the determination of the international community on confronting criminal gangs in all places, as well as combating false ideas, and facing the extremist rhetoric with moderation and tolerance."

Crown Prince Abdullah noted that the terrorist network is closely linked to three criminal international networks _ the networks of arms smuggling, drug smuggling and money laundering.

"It will be difficult to attain victory in our battle against terrorism unless we decisively confront these three criminal networks", he said.

He vowed to fight terrorism to the end but warned that the 'war against terror' would be bitter and long. "I know that terrorism will not be eliminated overnight and our war against terrorism will be long and bitter," the Crown Prince told security and intelligence officials from over 50 countries.

He proposed to set up a global centre to exchange information and to expand the fight.

President George Bush's Homeland Security Adviser Frances Townsend is leading a large US delegation to the conference.

A number of workshops on counter-terrorism efforts were also held on Saturday.

Pakistan was represented by its ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Admiral (Retd) Abdul Aziz Mirza. In his speech he explained efforts undertaken by his country to counter terrorism in all its forms.