Manama: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Abdul Latif Bin Rashid Al Zayani has condemned “the irresponsible” attack carried out by some Qatari media on the GCC, its General Secretariat and its Secretary-General.
The GCC chief said he was shocked by the attempt by some Qatari media to hold the secretary-general responsible for resolving the Gulf crisis, even though Qatari officials know that only GCC leaders have the power to do so.
“This is an unjust campaign that has gone beyond all customs, values and media professionalism by using a discourse that is unusual among Gulf nationals and that is full of abuses, insults and lack of respect,” Al Zayani said in a statement he issued late on Tuesday.
“The secretary-general executes decisions made by the Supreme Council and the Ministerial Council, in compliance with the provisions of the Statute of the Gulf Cooperation Council,” he said.
Al Zayani expressed his disgust at the attempts of some journalists in the Qatari media to allege his bias in the crisis because of his Bahraini nationality.
Al Zayani explained that his patriotism to his country and his responsibility as secretary-general were two separate issues.
He called on Qatari media to stop its “harmful and divisive” media campaign that only serves to sabotage attempts to resolve the conflict.
Al Zayani was appointed secretary-general of the GCC in April 2011, replacing Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah, from Qatar, in the post.
On Tuesday, Bahrain formally imposed entry visas on Qatari nationals and on expatriates residing in Qatar.
Prior to this decision, Qataris were able to travel to Bahrain without a visa.
King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa said imposing visas was necessary to ensure the safety and security of the kingdom.
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt on June 5 severed their diplomatic and trade relations with Qatar accusing it of supporting extremists and funding terrorism.
Qataris are banned from entering Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt — with exceptions on humanitarian grounds.
Bahrain was the first country to announce the break-off of relations.
It was also the first country to announce that it would not attend any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting or summit in which Qatar is present. The GCC, established in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The decision to impose visas on Qataris does not extend to the nationals of the other GCC countries who will continue to enter Bahrain by merely showing their national identity cards.
