Jeddah: The following are the excerpts from the final communiqué issued at the end of the 132nd meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers:

The Council congratulated Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, on his nomination by the United Nations as a ‘humanitarian leader’ and the designation of Kuwait as an international humanitarian centre.

Common Action: The Council reviewed the report by the Secretariat General on the progress of work on the GCC railway. The Council was also briefed on the actions taken over the water links.

1. Anti-terrorism: The Council valued the support of Saudi Arabia to the UN Centre for Combating terrorism by donating $100 million, in addition to its previous support of $10 million to carry out its missions. The Council called on the other countries to emulate the example of Saudi Arabia towards the Centre to combat terrorism globally and at all levels.

2. The Council welcomed the Security Council Resolution 2170 of August 15, 2014 under the binding Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter that condemned in the strongest terms “gross, systematic and widespread abuse” of human rights by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Al Nusra Front and imposed restrictions on their affiliate individuals.

3. The Council renewed its stances condemning terrorism and extremism under all their forms and shapes and regardless of their motives, reasons and sources. The Council affirmed that tolerance and coexistence between nations and peoples were among the foundations of domestic and foreign policies. The Council stressed that it stood against terrorist threats facing the region and the world, in order to ensure security, stability and peace. It also confirmed its commitment to fighting the ideologies used as premises and motivations by the terrorist groups, given that Islam is not in any way linked to them.

4. The Council highlighted the significance of intensifying regional and international cooperation to combat acts of terrorist and to bring the perpetrators of such acts to justice and accountability.

Politics:

The Iranian occupation of the UAE islands

5. The Council reiterated its steady position of rejecting the occupation by Iran of the three islands - Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Mousa, which belong to the UAE, as stressed in all the previous statements.

The Council emphasised in this regard the following:

• Support the right of sovereignty of the UAE over the three islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Mousa, and the territorial waters, airspace, continental shelf and exclusive economic zone of the three islands as an integral part of the UAE.

• Consider that any decisions or acts or practices undertaken by Iran over the three islands are null and void and do not alter anything about the historical facts and the legal rights that agree on the sovereignty of the UAE over its three islands.

• Invite the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to the efforts of the UAE to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or by resorting to the International Court of Justice.

Relations with Iran:

6. The Council stressed again the importance of cooperation between the GCC countries and Iran on the basis of respecting the sovereignty of the countries in the region, non-interference in the internal affairs of the GCC countries, and the principles of good neighbourliness, and refraining from the use or threat of force.

Iran’s nuclear programme:

7. The Council expressed the hope about the extension of the negotiations between the Group of States (5 +1) and Iran to November 24 for the sake of a comprehensive agreement between the parties that would end fears and suspicions about Iran’s nuclear programme.

8. The Council stressed the importance of making the Arabian Gulf region, and the Middle East free of all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons.

Current Arab situation

Syria:

9. The Council stressed the steady positions of the GCC to preserve Syria’s sovereignty, independence and the integrity of its national territory. It reiterated the implementation of the Geneva I Accord (June 2012) that aims to achieve a peaceful transition of power in Syria. It also expressed its wishes of success to Staffan de Mistura as the new UN envoy of the Syrian crisis.

10. The Council noted with pain and concern over the continuation by the Al Assad regime in the acts of killing and destruction, and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Syria. The Council welcomed the Security Council Resolution 2165 of July 14, 2014 regarding humanitarian aid, and demanded the removal of all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid for all affected civilians.

11. The Council welcomed the results of the meeting of foreign ministers of the Arab countries members of the International Contact Group, regarding the Syrian crisis, which was held in the city of Jeddah on August 24, 2014.

Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip:

12. The Council welcomed the agreement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and valued the pivotal role played by Egypt. The Council praised the international and regional efforts exerted in this context, demanded full compliance with the terms of the agreement, and called for a rapid introduction of humanitarian aid and relief to the Gaza Strip. Is expressed the hope this would lead to an agreement to end the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people and that it would fulfill its legitimate aspirations in order to promote peace and stability in the region. The Council held Israel responsible for the heinous war crimes against the Palestinian people and for massive destruction of infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.

Yemen

13. The Council welcomed the invitation by President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, President of Yemen, to all political and social forces of Yemen for a patriotic alignment and a national reconciliation, based on a commitment to the foundations and outputs of the national dialogue. The Council stressed the need to complete the transition phase, in accordance with the Gulf initiative and implementation mechanism, in order to achieve the aspirations of the Yemeni people and preserve the unity security and stability of Yemen.

14. The Council was briefed by Jamal Abdullah Al Sallal, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Yemen, on the latest developments in Yemen. The Council expressed its deep concern about the tensions taking place in the vicinity of the capital, Sana’a, caused by the Al Houthis and their insistence on an escalation that is against the peaceful transition. The Council warned of serious repercussions, and considered the situation an escalation beyond the national consensus that affects the prestige of the state and threatens the security and stability of Yemen. The Council called for assuming national responsibility and abandoning the policy of incitement, sit-ins, unrest, violence and factional demands.

15. The Council welcomed the statement issued by the Security Council on August 29, which showed a deep concern about the deteriorating security situation in Yemen, because of the acts carried out by the Al Houthis and their supporters in order to undermine the peaceful transition process, based on the Gulf initiative, and to destabilise the security and stability of Yemen.

16. The Council expressed its gratitude to Saudi Arabia for hosting the eighth meeting of the Friends of Yemen in New York on September 24, 2014, on the sidelines of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

17. The Council welcomed the designation of the candidate of Saudi Arabia, Dr Saleh Bin Abdul Aziz Al Gunaieer, as the Representative of the Secretary General of the GCC to Yemen, wishing him success in his work.

Iraq

18. The Council once again congratulated the Iraqi leadership, hoping the formation of the new Iraqi government will contribute to promoting national unity, and to the participation of all spectrums of the Iraqi society in the political, security and development process, thus contributing to the security, stability and sovereignty of Iraq, and to restoring it to its natural place in the Arab world.

19. The Council reiterated its support for UN Security Council Resolution 2107/2013 that decided unanimously to refer the file of prisoners and missing persons and the return of Kuwaiti property to the United Nations Mission UNAMI for follow up, hoping the Iraqi government will continue its efforts and cooperation with the State of Kuwait and the international community in this regard.

Libya

20. The Council expressed concern over the deteriorating security and military situation in Libya, due to current clashes and the resulting loss of life and property, and its impact on the security and stability of Libya as well as its future. The Council stressed the need to put an end to violence and support legitimacy in Libya, through the constitutional institutions, especially the Council of Representatives-elect that has expressed the will of the Libyan people through free and fair elections, as a prelude to enhancing security, stability and development in Libya.

Designations:

21. The Council welcomed the designation of Mohammad Bin Saleh Bin Mohammad Al Gilani, candidate from Oman, as Head of the GCC Mission to the UN in Vienna, wishing him success.