GCC, UK slam Iran's destabilising role

Dubai - The Iran nuclear agreement was "vitally important for regional security", May said.

Prime Minister Theresa May told Gulf leaders on Wednesday that Britain would help 'push back' against Iranian aggression as they agreed on a strategic partnership to deepen ties.
Addressing a summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council in Bahrain, May reaffirmed British support for traditional allies in the region, while also seeking to strengthen post-Brexit trade.
"I want to assure you that I am clear-eyed about the threat that Iran poses to the Gulf and to the wider Middle East," she told leaders of the GCC.
The Iran nuclear agreement was "vitally important for regional security", May said.
"But we must also work together to push back against Iran's aggressive regional actions."
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, led the UAE delegation to the landmark Gulf summit.
In a joint statement after the summit, Britain and the GCC agreed to a 'strategic partnership' that would foster 'political, defence, security and trade' ties, while 'developing collective approaches to regional issues'.
In their statement, GCC states and Britain said they "oppose and will work together to counter Iran's destabilising activities".
As part of strengthening military cooperation, Britain will maintain a presence 'throughout the Gulf', the statement said, including through British defence staff to be based in Dubai.
The statement said Britain and GCC countries were "committed to continue working towards a sustainable political resolution in Syria", where President Bashar Al Assad "has lost all legitimacy and has no role in Syria's future."
It called for Assad's backers including Russia and Iran "to support a meaningful end to the violence, sustained humanitarian access and an inclusive political process" in Syria.
In their joint statement, the leaders said the solution to the situation in Syria is an enduring political settlement based on transition away from the Assad regime to a government representative of all Syrians. They agreed to increase regional pressure on the Assad regime and its backers by heightening financial disruption and economic constraints. They reaffirmed strong support for the Syrian opposition, brought together by the High Negotiations Committee, and their vision for political transition in Syria. At the same time, they agreed to:
1. Encourage the moderate Syrian opposition to work hard to promote its vision to the Syrian people and international community;
2. Ensure the Syrian opposition remain committed to a negotiated political solution, and;
3. Emphasise that armed groups must comply with international humanitarian law and minimise civilian casualties.
They strongly supported increased efforts to degrade and defeat Daesh in Syria, and warned against the influence of other extremist groups, such as Al Nusra, Hezbollah and other sectarian organisations and Al Qaeda-linked terrorist groups.
The GCC member states and the UK further affirmed their commitment to assisting the Iraqi government and the International Global Coalition in their fight against Daesh, including post-liberation stabilisation efforts. In order to defeat Daesh, the GCC member states and the UK recognise the need to continue to scale-up coalition efforts to marginalise their brand and encourage alternative narratives, supporting the work of the Counter Daesh Coalition Communications Cell. The GCC and the UK also agreed to support effort to de-mine areas cleared of Daesh.
They stressed the importance of strengthening ties between Iraq and its neighbours, based on the principles of good neighbourliness, non-interference in internal affairs contrary to international law, and respect for state sovereignty.
With regard to Yemen, both the GCC member states and the UK emphasised the need to resolve the conflict peacefully through political dialogue and negotiations facilitated by the UN based on the GCC initiative, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and other relevant UNSC Resolutions. They pledged continued support for the UN Special Envoy and the UN-led peace process, and endorsed the roadmap presented by the UN Special Envoy to the Yemeni parties, which sets out clearly the path to a comprehensive agreement, including sequencing of security and political steps that must be taken. They urged the Yemeni parties to engage with the UN in good faith and to adhere to the UN-proposed Cessation of Hostilities under the same terms and conditions entered into on 10 April 2016.
The leaders decided to move in concert to convince all Libyan parties to accept an inclusive power-sharing agreement under the framework of the UN-brokered Libyan Political Agreement according to UNSC resolutions 2259, 2278 and the Skheirat Accord, and to continue to focus on countering the terrorist presence in the country.
The GCC member states and the UK strongly affirmed the necessity of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a just, lasting, comprehensive peace agreement that results in an independent and contiguous Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel, based on the Arab Peace Initiative and UN resolutions.
On Lebanon, the leaders welcomed the election of a new president, called on all parties to strengthen Lebanese state institutions, and emphasised the need to fight all terrorist groups operating in Lebanese territory, which threaten Lebanon's security and stability. On Egypt, the GCC and the UK committed to support co-operation between the IMF and Egypt.
The GCC member states and the UK determined to accelerate efforts against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the means of their delivery, as well as advanced conventional weapons, by enhancing national controls on proliferation-sensitive items and technologies.
On humanitarian co-operation, the leaders recognised the substantial and continued efforts and means of co-operation in this area, and pledged to continue working closely to relieve the situation in Yemen and Syria.
The GCC and UK agreed to build upon their already strong foundation of people to people contact through further enhancement. They agreed to close collaboration and partnership in education, healthcare, culture, sport and the arts, including through the British Council, and working with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science on marine environmental issues. They agreed on the importance of efforts to support inter-faith and inter-civilisation dialogue, including through King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna.
GCC member states and the UK also agreed to meet annually in a similar high-level format, in order to advance and build upon the UK-GCC Strategic Partnership announced on Wednesday.
During her speech, the British PM said the two sides would study liberalising trade as Britain prepares to leave the European Union after the shock referendum vote to quit the bloc.
"I want these talks to pave the way for an ambitious trade arrangement" after Brexit.
May was the first woman and first British leader to address a GCC summit, as Gulf countries deepen ties with major powers beyond longtime ally the United States.
In May last year, France's President Francois Hollande became the first Western head of state to attend a GCC summit.
US President Barack Obama followed in April this year, seeking to reassure Gulf about US overtures to Iran.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, opened the summit on Tuesday with a call for a 'doubling of efforts' to face regional challenges.

• MENA