Dubai: As Malaysia is getting ready to lend efforts to mediation efforts initiated by Kuwait to find a solution to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) crisis, its prime minister urged all parties to take immediate steps to comply with all agreements reached by the GCC countries, specifically the 2014 Riyadh Agreement.

The agreement is an acceptable basis for a solution to the current crisis, Najib Razak said in remarks carried by the Malaysian news agency Bernama.

“Malaysia strongly supports the efforts by the emir of Kuwait to mediate in the face of escalating tensions, and we stand ready to assist if our contribution is needed,” he said in a statement.

“We have always upheld the principle of non-interference to the internal affairs of other sovereign countries and urge all nations to do the same.”

Najib said that Malaysia recognised Saudi Arabia’s concerns in the current crisis and encouraged all peace loving nations to back efforts to end the crisis.

Malaysia also acknowledged the important role of Saudi Arabia as the beacon of stability in the Gulf, as well as its role in upholding the unity of the Ummah (Muslims), he added.

“For this reason, all parties must ensure that the security and stability of Saudi Arabia as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is protected and preserved at all costs,” he said.

Razak pointed out that Malaysia was proud in participating in the 2017 Riyadh Summit, in which Kuala Lumpur reiterated its relentless support to the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

“We pray that with the grace of Allah the Almighty, all differences among our Arab brothers will be settled amicably and that the unity and harmony of the GCC countries can be restored.”

On June 5, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorists and funding terrorism.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussain is embarking on a visit of the Gulf countries to help resolve the Middle East diplomatic crisis.

Hishammuddin, who is representing Razak, is scheduled to meet the leaders of UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The visit is significant as Malaysia enjoys good ties with Qatar and the four countries that were going through the internal crisis, Hishammuddin, who is also Minister with Special Functions in the Prime Minister’s Department, said.

“We want to hear them out, to understand the root cause of the crisis and do some fact finding before giving our input or suggestions on the matter. Our stance is still respected among these countries.

“Although the United States of America and Kuwait are already playing the middleman role, Malaysia should not turn a blind eye or think that such issue would not affect our country,” he said.

Hishammuddin also planned to visit Kuwait and Qatar to follow up on the matter after visiting the three countries.