Summit urges unity against threats
Salman tells GCC states to maintain united front against Iran and terror
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz opened the 39th GCC Summit in Riyadh yesterday, urging the other five member states to maintain a united front against Iran and terrorism.
“This requires all of us to maintain our countries’ gains and to work with our partners to preserve security and stability in the region and the world,” he said. King Salman said the Arab world was facing challenges and threats from extremist and terrorist forces. “The Iranian regime continues its hostile policies by sponsoring these forces, and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries,” he added.
Kuwaiti Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who has tried unsuccessfully to mediate the Qatar row, then called for an end to media campaigns that he said threatened regional unity. He said the malicious drive “has reached limits that have eroded values and principles, planted the seeds of strife and discord among people and destroyed everything they built together”. A closed-door session was expected to focus on oil politics, security issues including Yemen’s war, and the row with Qatar.
Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz yesterday opened the 39th summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) by stressing the Gulf alliance will strengthen its role in the present and future
“The GCC was set up to enhance the security, stability, development, prosperity and wellbeing of the citizens of the GCC states as the fundamental asset, through which visions and hopes are realised,” he said.
“I am sure we are all keen to preserve this entity and strengthen its role in the present and future. God has blessed our nations with human and natural resources. [GCC states] have strengthened their cultural role in the region and the world. We must all harness our energies to serve the people of the Council and to safeguard the security and stability of our countries and the region,” King Salman said at the inaugural session of the summit attended by Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE.
Qatar’s attendance at the summit, or the level of its representation, was a matter of speculation, given that Doha has no diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE would attend.
Several Saudi, Bahraini and UAE officials have insisted the GCC would continue to move forward regardless of Qatar’s approaches and attitudes.
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE severed their diplomatic, trade and travel relations with Qatar on June 5 last year after they accused it of supporting extremists and funding terrorism. They issued a list of 13 demands.
Qatar denied the charges and rejected the demands, resulting in a standoff that has not been resolved despite mediation efforts led by fellow GCC member Kuwait. Qatar eventually sent its state minister for foreign affairs Sultan Al Muraikhi to represent it at the summit. Oman was represented by Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Saeed, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers.
In his speech, King Salman stressed the Gulf and the Arab world are witnessing challenges and threats from extremist and terrorist forces.
“The Iranian regime continues its hostile policies in sponsoring these forces and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries,” King Salman said as he opened the session.
“This requires us to protect the achievements of our countries and to work with our partners to maintain security and stability in the region and across the world, and to insist on the need for adequate guarantees on Iran’s nuclear programme and its plans for the development of ballistic missiles.” King Salman said Saudi Arabia continues to defend the Arab and Islamic causes in international forums.
“The Palestinian cause is at the forefront of our concerns and we want the Palestinian people to achieve their legitimate rights, including the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he said.
Yemen issue
In Yemen, the Saudi monarch said the countries of the Arab Coalition are keen, upon the request from the legitimate government in Yemen, to rescue the country and its people from a group that rebelled against legitimacy and threatened its security and stability.
“The coalition has also worked to restore hope to the Yemeni people through relief and humanitarian assistance programmes. It is also seeking a political solution to the Yemeni crisis in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2216, the Gulf Initiative, and its executive mechanism, and the outcome of Yemen’s comprehensive national dialogue.”
Saudi Arabia also called for a political solution to help Syria emerge from its crisis and contribute to the establishment of a transitional government that will guarantee Syrian unity and the departure of foreign forces and terrorist organisations.