Call for peace and security in region

Riyadh: Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council states have concluded their 27th summit here by taking practical steps toward closer cooperation among their bloc and making earnest calls for peace and security for the region and beyond. Concluding a two-day summit here, the leaders of the six-member states endorsed a number of recommendations that are set to boost the progress of economic integration between the member states.

The summit's economic resolutions are intended to expedite a number of integration programmes, including a customs union, a common market, a monetary union, and common legislations.

UAE islands

On the political agenda, the summit reiterated its unequivocal support of the right of the UAE to restore its sovereignty over the three islands of Abu Mousa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs as well as the territorial waters, air space, continental enclave and the economic zone of the islands.

Deploring lack of progress toward settlement of this issue through direct, regional, or international contacts, the council called on Iran to respond to the endeavours of the UAE and the international community to resolve the issue either through direct negotiations or by referring it to the international court of justice in the hague.

Iran nuke standoff

On the Iranian nuclear programme, the council called for a peaceful settlement of the standoff and urged Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to adhere to international security and safety standards and address the environmental concerns. The council also urged Israel to join the nuclear weapons non-proliferation treaty and open its nuclear facilities for international inspection through IAEA. It called on the international community to pressurise Israel to heed to these demands.

The leaders also called for keeping the Middle East, including the GCC region, free of weapons of mass destruction, without prejudice to the right of the states of the region to acquiring nuclear know-how for peaceful purposes within the bounds of international accords. In this respect, the council commissioned a study into creating a GCC programme for nuclear technology for peaceful purposes pursuant to the international standards.

Iraq issue

On Iraq, the GCC called on all parties to respect and preserve Iraq's unity, sovereignty and identity and to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs. It emphasised that national conciliation was the key to restoring stability there. Denouncing the ceaseless acts of terror, manslaughter, sectarian violence that have claimed thousands of innocent lives, the council urged the Iraqi government to disband militias and put an end to all causes of tension.

Israeli atrocities

On Palestine, the council decried the persistent Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people, citing the egregious massacre of bait hanoun that claimed scores of innocent lives. It urged the international community to take swift action to put an end to these atrocities and to reactivate the peace process based on the Arab peace initiative, the road map, and international resolutions. The council reaffirmed its belief that a comprehensive peace could only be realised by the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al Quds as its capital, and Israel's withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan to the 4th of June 1967 borders and from Sheba'a farms in southern Lebanon. In this context, the leaders welcomed the ceasefire between the Palestinians and Israelis as an important step toward dialogue and reviving the peace process. They expressed hope that the agreement would put an end to violence and counter violence, and open the way for the set up of a national unity government to help lift the unfair siege on the Palestinian people.