Leaders gather at terrorism summit
Madrid mayor: 'Help us defeat the terrorists'
From CNN Madrid Bureau Chief Al Goodman
MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- As a summit on global terrorism began in Madrid, the mayor of the city that still recovering from train bombings last year called on experts to "help us defeat the terrorists."
The International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security started just days ahead of the one-year anniversary of the March 11 train bombings that killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,500.
The summit brings together 23 current presidents and prime ministers, 34 former heads of state and the 200 experts on terrorism and security. It is organized by the Club of Madrid, a group of former heads of state.
"We only hope that you help us to defeat the terrorists and oust them forever from history," Mayor Alberto Ruiz Gallardon told the inaugural session of the summit, which continues through Friday.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and the leaders of Morocco, Afghanistan and Algeria were due in Madrid this week for the conference, as well as European Union and Arab League leaders, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and the heads of the Interpol and Europol international police agencies.
Hours before the summit began, Spanish police arrested the latest suspect in the train bombings. Jaouad el Bouzrouti, 21, of Morocco, was detained near his home in the Madrid southern suburb of Fuenlabrada, the Interior Ministry said.
El Bouzrouti is linked to six other suspects in the train bombings, some of them considered to be principal figures, and owned a car that was used often by two of the other suspects, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Spanish authorities mainly blame Islamic terrorists for the bombings against four commuter trains during Madrid's morning rush hour. A total of 74 suspects have been charged, and 22 remain in jail.
Most of the suspects live in Spain although many were originally from Morocco, Spanish judicial authorities said. The trial is not expected to start before late this year.
About 7,000 police officers were mobilized to provide security for the summit, as well as a NATO AWACS surveillance plane.
"The commitment of governments, the international community and all democratic political forces, as well as the citizens, against terrorism must remain active and alert," Spain's Crown Prince Felipe, said at the inaugural session. "Our common objective is to finish off terrorism."
The experts on terrorism were due to present at the summit recommendations on how to improve the fight against terrorism. But one participant told CNN that with so many experts involved with the project, he expected to see only broad goals, not highly detailed recommendations.
On Friday, one year to the day after the train bombings, the kings of Spain and Morocco, and other dignitaries are due to inaugurate "The Forest of the Absent" in Madrid's main park, with one tree planted for each of the victims who died in the bombings.
