The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and the UAE warned against the danger posed by Israel’s lukewarm attitude toward Arab and global peace overtures, its defiance of UN Security Council Resolutions, the expansion of Jewish settlements and the Israeli siege of Gaza.
The GCC statement comes after US President George W. Bush’s announcement that a Middle East peace settlement could be reached by the end of this year. The GCC leaders also welcomed Russia’s plan to hold an international conference in Moscow to review efforts aimed at establishing a just peace in the region.
King Abdullah led the Saudi delegation to the summit meeting, which was presided by Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Thani. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zayed Al-Nahyan, King Hamad ibn Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Omani Deputy Premier Fahd ibn Mahmoud Al-Saeed and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah were also present.
Abdul Rahman Al-Attiyah, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said the leaders had discussed a number of important issues including King Abdullah’s proposal to strengthen the Peninsular Shield forces. They also wished every success for Qatar’s efforts to reconcile Lebanese groups to end their country’s political crisis and reinforce its security and stability.
He said the GCC leaders backed the agreement signed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar allowing their citizens to travel between the two countries using smart ID cards. They also expressed their satisfaction over the final accord reached between Qatar and Bahrain to build a causeway.
The GCC leaders emphasized the need to find a peaceful solution to Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West on the basis of international legitimacy. They further renewed their call to make the Middle East a region free of weapons of mass destruction. However, they stressed the right of GCC countries to acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
“This right should be given to everybody within the framework of international accords,” they added.
Speaking about the situation in Iraq, Al-Attiyah said the GCC leaders emphasized the importance of protecting the country’s Arab identity and independence.
They rejected the moves to divide the country on an ethnic basis. “A political and security solution tackling the causes of crisis is required to establish peace and stability in Iraq,” the GCC chief said quoting summit leaders.
The summit also addressed other issues in the region, including Darfur and Somalia. It condemned the attack on Omdurman by rebels of the Justice & Equality Movement, saying the attack was aimed at undermining Sudan’s security and stability.
The summit leaders voiced their solidarity with the Sudanese government and stressed that a solution to the Darfur crisis must be reached through dialogue and national reconciliation. They also urged Somali factions to end their violence and work for national unity.
Earlier, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa reiterated his country’s support to strengthening the GCC and expanding political, economic, military, security and cultural cooperation among the six countries. Bahrain’s King Hamad said the summit was aimed at discussing the latest developments in the region.
