GCC refutes terrorism support allegations

The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States (GCC) has rejected accusations that some GCC countries back terrorism, reaffirming that the GCC renounces terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations and reiterating it active participation in the international counter-terrorism campaign to fight Daesh (ISIL).

This statement was issued at the end of the 134th session of the GCC foreign ministers in Riyadh on Thursday.

The UAE delegation in the 135th session of GGC Ministerial Council was headed by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister.

The session was held under chairmanship of Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed al Attiyah with participation of the GCC foreign ministers and GCC Secretary-General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid al- Zayani.

The council stressed the GCC commitment to fight the ideology feeding terrorist groups, stressing that Islam is innocent. The council also stated that tolerance and coexistence among nations and peoples are among the foundations of internal and external policy of the GCC countries, adding that the member states stand against terrorist threats facing the region and the world.

The Ministerial Council welcomed outcomes of the Executive Committee of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Global Counter-Terrorism Conference organised by the Muslim World League and the First World Summit on Combating Violent Extremism, calling for concerted international efforts as well as military and security coordination to counter extremism and terrorism.

The session also welcomed the Security Council resolution No 2199 (February, 2015) which was issued unanimously under Seventh Chapter aiming to block sources of terrorist financing and tightening control over the areas controlled by the terrorists.

The ministers condemned the brutal and heinous criminal acts committed by all terrorist organisations, including the ISIS against innocent people, stressing that the escalation of violence threatens regional and international security.

The council also condemned accusations of the Swedish foreign minister against Saudi Arabia, stating that the accusations are contrary to all international norms and conventions and unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of the country.

The council renewed its stance with the UAE against the Iranian occupation of three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa. The council expressed support to UAE's right of sovereignty on the islands.

The session stressed that any Iranian resolution or action on the islands will not change the legal or historical facts that indicate UAE's Sovereignty.

The ministers call upon Iran to respond to the United Arab Emirates efforts to settle the issue through direct negotiations or resorting to the International Court of Justice, ICJ.

They stressed importance of making the Arabian Gulf and Middle East free of all kinds of weapons of mass destructions, including nuclear weapons.

The council confirmed a right of each country to use nuclear energy peacefully.

The Ministerial Council hoped that negotiations between (5+1) countries and Iran regarding Iran's Nuclear Programme would lead to political agreement that ensures peacefulness of the Iran's Nuclear Programme which takes into consideration the GCC environment concerns.

Regarding situation in the Palestinian territories and the developments of the Arab- Israeli conflicts, the Ministerial Council stated that the comprehensive and just peace will not prevail unless with full withdrawal of Israel from the Arab lands it had occupied in 1967, and setting up of sovereign and independent Palestinian state, whose capital will be eastern Jerusalem in accordance with the international resolutions in this respect and the Arab Peace Initiative.

About Yemen, the ministers welcomed the resolutions of the Riyadh Conference to rescue Yemen and build the federal state in accordance with the GCC initiative, resolutions of the national dialogue and the UN Security Council resolution No. 2216 on restoration of the legitimacy. They also commended the donation of US$274 million by Saudi Arabia to fund the UN humanitarian activities in Yemen.

On Iraq, the Council stressed its firm position on respecting the territorial integrity of Iraq and non-interference in its internal affairs, urging all countries not to use Iraq as a platform for training terrorists that pose threats to neighbouring countries. It expresses support to Iraqi government on reconciliation and efforts to defeat Daesh.

About Libya, the GCC Ministerial Council expressed concerns over increasing violence there, stressing support to the legitimate government there and urging all components of Libyan people to negotiate in good faith to restore peace.

The ministers welcomed the resolutions of the meetings of the GCC leaders with President of France Francois Hollande in Riyadh and US President Barrack Obama at Camp David.
Source: WAM