GCC council to discuss U.S. military action

Moves are underway to convene an extraordinary session of the GCC ministerial council to discuss the regional developments especially in view of the U.S. threat to launch strikes against Afghanistan.

Bahrain-based Gulf News Agency stated yesterday that Bahrain has suggested the convening of an extraordinary session of the GCC ministerial council at the secretariat general's headquarters next week to consult and coordinate the GCC stance with regard to recent regional and international developments.

Meanwhile, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos of Oman, who arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit, held a meeting with the Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa where the two leaders condemned the attack on the U.S.

Reviewing the recent regional and international developments, particularly in the aftermath of the attack against U.S., the two leaders voiced their concern over these developments.

They also affirmed the importance of standing beside the U.S. and the international community to punish all those who support and sponsor such terrorist activities.

Dealing with the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and the recent atrocities carried out by the Israeli forces against the Palestinian people, the two leaders deplored Israeli policy with regard to the peace process and the resolutions and agreements.

They pointed out that these resolutions and agreements have endorsed the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied occupied Arab lands including the Syrian Golan Heights, to the borders of June 1967, and establishing a Palestinian state with occupied Jerusalem as its capital.

They also discussed bilateral relations and explored means of boosting these ties in various fields.

They reviewed issues of concern to GCC countries and the path of the GCC council and asserted the need to enhance the march of the council in political, economic, military, security, cultural and social fields.

Expressing their support to the GCC council, the two leaders also stated the consensus among all the GCC leaders to hold the next GCC summit in Oman in December.

They stated that the forthcoming meeting will help consolidate the GCC march and help realising the hopes and desires of further integrating Gulf citizens .

Sultan Qaboos and his delegation were received by the Emir Sheikh Hamad, Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and BDF Chief Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, ministers, shura council members and others.

Sultan Qaboos is accompanied by the Minister of Sultan's Court Saif Al Busaidi, Minister of Sultan's Office General Ali Al Mamari, Minister in Charge of Foreign Affairs Yousif bin Alawi,Minister of National Economy Ahmad Makki and the Minister of Trade and Industry Maqbool Sultan.