GCC vows support to anti-IS fight – Iran interference hit

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RIYADH, April 1, (KUNA): The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council has affirmed the GCC constant stances and resolutions against terrorism and extremism. In the statement at the conclusion of its 142nd meeting on Thursday, the council also confirmed a continuation of the GCC support to the international coalition fighting the so-called Islamic State IS group.

The council stressed the need to protect civilians and return of the displaced people to their cities and villages. It lauded the opening of the NATO Regional Center for the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative countries in Kuwait to enhance aspects of joint coordination and cooperation in the security fields.

The council welcomed outcomes of the international conference to promote efforts of the Islamic and friendly countries against the IS terrorist organization held in Riyadh on Jan 15, 2017 and considered this conference as a commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support all international efforts to combat terrorism. The council hailed an award received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of the Interior, from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for the distinguished intelligence work in the field of combating terrorism, which is an international recognition of the Kingdom’s outstanding work in the fight against terrorism.

It lauded the efforts exerted by the security services in the Kingdom of Bahrain and its high efficiency in maintaining the security and stability of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its territorial integrity, praising its efforts to foil smuggling of a number of wanted fugitives in terrorist cases. The council supported all efforts taken by Bahrain in maintaining its security and stability.

The council condemned the terrorist attack on the guesthouse of Kandahar Governor which resulted in the martyrdom of the United Arab Emirates ambassador to Afghanistan and five diplomats during a humanitarian mission within the assistance program provided by the United Arab Emirates in Afghanistan. It also welcomed the statement issued by the US Department of State, which included placing of some persons belonging to the so-called Saraya Al-Ashtar on the list of global terrorists, stressing that this position reflects the determination of the United States of America to address all forms of terrorism at the regional and international levels.

The council expressed deep condemnation of the statement made by the representative of the Swiss Confederation before the United Nations Human Rights Council in its 34th session in Geneva on human rights in Bahrain. The council said it categorical rejects the allegations in the statement which ignores the efforts exerted by Bahrain in protecting and enhancing human rights. The council expressed hope that the Swiss government is to review its position and take information on human rights from the reliable sources.

The council cautioned that these stances do not help develop and strengthen relations between the GCC States and the Swiss Confederation. The council has expressed total rejection of the Iranian interference in the internal affairs of the GCC States and the region. The council denounced the Iranian regime’s irresponsible provocative statements and acts of aggression against the Kingdom of Bahrain, calling upon the Iranian regime to stop the policies that feed sectarian conflicts. It urged Iran to abide by the basic principles of international relations based on the Charter of the United Nations, the international law, the principles of good neighborliness, and to respect the sovereignty of states, stop interference in the internal affairs of other countries. The council also underlined support for peaceful settlement of disputes and rejection of sectarianism.

It reiterated the GCC calls for Iran to abide by the nuclear deal reached with the group of countries (P5+1) in July 2015, on its nuclear program and to implement the Security Council resolution 2231 (July 2015) on the nuclear agreement. The council welcomed reiterated the GCC rejection of the Iranian continued occupation of the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa of the United Arab Emirates.

The council stressed its support of the UAE sovereign right over its three islands — Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, and the territorial waters, airspace, continental shelf and exclusive economic zone of the three islands as an integral part of the territory of the United Arab Emirates. The council considered that any decisions, practices or acts carried out by Iran on the three islands are null and void as well as do not change any historical and legal facts.

The council calls upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to the UAE’s efforts to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or go to the International Court of Justice. On Syria, the council underscored the need to uphold the cease-fire and work out an effective and practical monitoring mechanism to reach a political solution in accordance with the Geneva Declaration 1 (June 2012). It welcomed the US President Donald Trump’s commitment to sign an executive decision to develop a plan for the establishment of safe regions in Syria, hoping that this will contribute to maintaining the safety of civilians in accordance with the relevant international resolutions.

The council also welcomed the final communiqué issued by the ninth Coordination Meeting of the Group of Senior Donors to Support the Humanitarian Situation in Syria on Jan 16, 2017 in the State of Kuwait. Meanwhile, the GCC Ministerial Council meeting approved Saudi Arabia’s nominee Madkhal Al-Hazali to serve as GCC Secretary General’s envoy for Yemen, GCC chief Abdul- Latif Al Zayani said Thursday. Speaking at a news conference following the 142nd session of the Gulf Ministerial Council, Al-Zayani said his envoy for Yemen faces a big dossier regarding the resumption of peaceful negotiations to reach a solution, and humanitarian situations there.

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