GCC regrets conflicts, Iran N-crisis

Dammam: Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Tuesday expressed regret over the ongoing conflicts and tensions in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan and Somalia, as well as the crisis of Iran's nuclear programme.

The GCC leaders, who concluded their 10th consultative meeting in Dammam under the chairmanship of Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, expressed their support for Qatar's efforts to help Lebanese rivals strike a deal to end the 18-month political standoff.

They mourned Kuwait's former Emir Shaikh Sa'ad Al Abdullah Al Sabah.

The meeting also discussed a number of economic and security issues, as well as the latest developments on regional and international arenas.

They welcomed the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Qatar that allow their citizens to travel between their countries using smart ID cards instead of passports.

The agreement signed between Bahrain and Qatar to build a major causeway linking both countries was also welcomed.

The leaders were briefed by GCC Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al Attiyah on the progress of the council's work and the implementation of resolutions issued since the Doha summit last December, to further enhance cooperation among GCC states.

The leaders expressed satisfaction over the development and progress of the council's work and achievements, and reiterated their determination to firmly push ahead with the march of progress to bolster the joint Gulf action to further fulfil the aspirations of GCC citizens. President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan led the UAE delegation to the summit.

Shaikh Khalifa was received upon arrival by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Interior Minister; Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Presidential Affairs; Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sultan Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, and other shaikhs and senior officials.

King Abdullah hosted a lunch banquet in honour of GCC leaders attending the summit and their accompanying delegations. Later, Shaikh Khalifa returned home.

Ministers' meeting

Meanwhile, foreign ministers of GCC countries held a closed-door session after the leaders concluded their summit. Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister led the UAE delegation.

Support: UAE right on isles

Following is the statement issued after the leaders concluded their talks:

• On the issue of the UAE islands, the GCC reaffirmed its support for the UAE's right to end the Iranian occupation of its three islands through peaceful means either by bilateral negotiations or referring the issue to the International Justice Court.
• On Iran's nuclear programme, they called for ending this dossier by peaceful means.
• On Palestine, they reaffirmed their support for the Arab peace initiative.
• They warned against Israel-imposed siege on Palestiniana in the Gaza Strip.
• On Iraq, they extended their support for all initiatives aimed at bringing about national reconciliation and pave the way for restoring security.
• On Somalia, they called on the rivals to end violence and pursue efforts to achieve national reconciliation.