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GCC to discuss UAE islands issue

The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will hold a special meeting here on Tuesday to discuss the issue of three UAE islands occupied by Iran, an official source said.

The GCC meeting, which an official had initially said would be held on Wednesday, comes after the UAE recalled its ambassador to Iran in protest at a visit to Abu Mousa Island by Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Jordan, Arab Parliament
back UAE’s stance

Jordan has affirmed full solidarity with UAE’s territorial integrity and sovereignty saying Ahmadinejad’s visit to Abu Mousa has undermined the diplomatic efforts towards finding a peaceful settlement to end the Iranian occupation over three UAE islands.

In a statement carried by Petra, the official news agency, a foreign ministry spokesman said: “Jordanian government expresses full solidarity with UAE over its entire lands and called for solving all disputes through dialogue and avoiding unilateral actions.”

“Jordan underscores supports for UAE’s demand to restore its legitimate rights and full sovereignty over its islands Abu Mousa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs occupied by Iran since 1971,” the spokesman added.

The Arab Parliament has also urged Iran to respect the UAE’s rights and sovereignty over its islands and abstain from pursuing the “policy of creating problems” with the Arabian Gulf countries.

The speaker of the Arab Parliament Ali Salem Al Dakbasi, in a statement issued in Cairo, described as ‘provocative’ Ahmadinejad’s visit to Abu Mousa. He added the Ahmadinejad’s visit provoked anger from Arabs towards Iran.