Cairo: Arab foreign ministers on Sunday accused Iran of interfering in the affairs of other Middle East states and undermining regional security, as officials met at an emergency Arab League session to discuss escalating tensions in the region.
The crisis between Saudi Arabia and Iran, started when Iranian mobs ransacked stormed Saudi missions in Iran after the execution by Riyadh of anti-government Shiite cleric Nimr Al Nimr, prompting Riyadh to sever relations.
Tehran then cut all commercial ties with Riyadh, and banned pilgrims from travelling to Makkah.
Opening the emergency Arab League session in Cairo, United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the meeting “comes in light of a dangerous escalation”.
Saudi Arabia said on Saturday after an extraordinary Gulf Cooperation Council meeting that it would take “additional measures” against Iran, but did not elaborate further.
“We strongly condemn the attacks on diplomatic missions by Iran and absolutely reject the Iranian policy of interference in the affairs of the kingdom and any other Arab state,” Shaikh Abdullah.
“Iran does not hesitate to exploit sectarianism as a way to gain control of the region,” he added.
“These attacks clearly reflect the approach that the Iranian policy is taking in our Arab region specifically ... with its interference in the affairs of the (region’s) states and instigation of sectarian strife and shaking its security and stability,” said Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir.
Arab League chief Nabeel Al Arabi accused Tehran of “provocative acts” in his address to foreign ministers who gathered for the emergency talks.
Al Arabi called on diplomats meeting at the group’s Cairo headquarters to “adopt a strong and clear common position calling on Iran to stop all forms of interference in the affairs of Arab nations”.
Meanwhile in Pakistan on Sunday, Army Chief Raheel Sharif said his country would respond if Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity was in danger.
He was meeting with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defence Mohammad Bin Salman in Islamabad.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the officials discussed the regional security situation.
The army chief said that Pakistan enjoys excellent relations with Saudi Arabia, adding that safety of the Gulf States is of immense importance for Pakistan. On his part, the Saudi minister said Saudi Arabia highly regards the armed forces of Pakistan.
