Arab countries vow to take on Iran, Houthis

Makkah - Iran is seeking to destabilise regional security and is sponsoring terrorists, Arab leaders said.

Arab leaders condemned acts of sabotage by Iranian-backed Houthi militia on commercial ships in the UAE's regional waters and on two oil pump stations in Saudi Arabia.
They said terror activities by the Houthi terrorists that are backed by Iran are against good neighbourly principles. They threaten the security and stability in the region, Arab leaders said.
"The leaders, concluding an urgent summit hosted by Saudi Arabia to discuss threats to regional security and stability, said the only way to preserve regional security and stability is through good neighborliness, refraining from using force and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries," said Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abul Gheit while reading from the final communique.
They took stock of the latest developments in the region and their implications for Arab unity.
On Yemen, the Arab leaders denounced Iran's support for the Houthi militia in its fight against the legitimate government and Tehran's interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain.
Iran is seeking to destabilise regional security and is sponsoring and training terrorists, smuggling weapons and explosives and fuelling sectarian strife, they said.
"We must step up diplomatic efforts with regional and international organisations to expose Iran's activities that pose a threat to regional security and peace."
Arab and GCC leaders also sought support from the larger international community to take a tough stand against Iran's destabilising activities in the region. "We must act firmly against any attempts by Iran or its proxies to threaten world energy security and freedom and safety of maritime facilities in the Arabian Gulf," they said. Iran's behaviour "poses a direct and serious threat"to the global community.

• Saudi Arabia
• MENA