Stop meddling, GCC warns Iran

Riyadh - Saudi king Salman reaffirmed that the kingdom would continue to defend the Arab and Islamic issues at international forums.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, on Sunday urged the GCC states to stand united and work to maintain security and stability in the region and the world in the wake of the continuing threats, especially from Iran.
Chairing the 39th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh, the king warned against Tehran's hostile policy of sponsoring terrorism and intervening in the internal affairs of the countries in the region, the Saudi Gazette reported.
"Our region is facing challenges and threats. Extremist and terrorist forces continue to threaten our Gulf and Arab security. The Iranian regime continues its aggressive policies in sponsoring these forces and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries," King Salman said while underlining the need for securing full and adequate guarantees to curb Iran's nuclear programme and its plans to develop ballistic missiles.
The UAE team was headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Others taking part were the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah; His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain; Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said; and Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan Al Muraikhi.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa criticised Qatar's Amir for not attending the summit. "Qatar's Amir should have accepted the fair demands (of the boycotting states) and attended the summit," he said in a tweet.
King Salman emphasised that the GCC was established in order to enhance the security, stability, development, prosperity and wellbeing of Gulf citizens who are our fundamental asset and whose visions and hopes are to be accomplished.
"I am sure that we are all keen to strengthen GCC's role. God has blessed our nations with human and natural resources that have strengthened our cultural role in the region and the world," the king said, adding, "This requires all of us to harness our energies to serve the people of GCC and to maintain the security and stability of our countries and the region."
The king reaffirmed that the kingdom would continue to defend the Arab and Islamic issues at international forums, the Saudi Gazette reported.
"The Palestinian cause is at the forefront of its concerns and the kingdom seeks to achieve the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital. The kingdom calls upon the international community to assume its responsibilities by taking the necessary measures to protect the Palestinian people from aggressive practices that are a provocation to the feelings of Arabs and Muslims as well as to all other peace-loving peoples."
On Yemeni crisis, King Salman said the coalition countries were keen to respond to the appeal made by the legitimate government in Yemen to rescue the country and its people from an outfit that staged a coup against the legitimate government and undermined its security and stability.
The coalition countries also worked to restore hope to the Yemeni people by carrying out relief and humanitarian assistance programmes as well as by seeking a political solution to the Yemeni crisis in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2216, the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism, and the outcome of Yemen's comprehensive national dialogue.
The king also called for a political solution to the Syrian crisis with the establishment of a transitional government that will guarantee Syrian unity and the pullout of foreign forces and terrorist organisations.
"The kingdom is keen to build strong and strategic relations with Iraq, which is a key pillar in the Arab security system," King Salman said.
The amir of Kuwait said the fact that "this session has convened on its scheduled date despite the conditions that we are passing through, confirms our commitment to maintaining the GCC as an entity".
He said that an "alarming escalation" in the problems of the region should push member states to reinforce the unity of the GCC and strengthen cooperation among member states.
"The most dangerous obstacle we face is the struggle within the GCC," he said, referring to the diplomatic spat between Qatar, on the one hand, and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE on the other.
He described the diplomatic stand-off as a "threat to the unity of our position and the interests of our people".

• MENA