GCC consultative meeting reviews Gulf, regional, global developments

GCC leaders support Qatar's efforts to solve Lebanon's crisis

Gulf summit renews call on importance of reaching peaceful solution to Iranian nuclear crisis

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Leaders and Heads of Delegations of member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) concluded at Al-Khaleej Palace their 10th Consultative Meeting.

Following that, GCC Leaders had lunch with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Then, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques bid farewell to President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, wishing them happy journey.

The leaders of GCC countries began their tenth consultative meeting at Al-Khaleej Palace in Dammam under the chairmanship of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

At the beginning of the meeting, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, Chairman of the current session delivered a speech thanking and appreciating The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and the GCC leaders for the invitation to attend 10th Consultative meeting.

He pointed out that the current meeting comes at an important stage undergone by the Arab world, expressing his hope that the results of the meeting will be good as always in the context of the GCC march.

The session was attended by the Saudi delegation including Prince Misha'al bin Abdulaziz, Head of Allegiance Commission; Prince Miteb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural affairs; Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Prince Abdul-illah bin Abdulaziz; Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz, Vice Governor of Riyadh Region; Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz, President of General Intelligence, Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Eastern Province and a number of high-level officials.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz received at Al-Khaleej Palace leaders of member countries of Gulf Cooperation Council, who are participating in the consultative meeting.

He received Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, The President Of The United Arab Emirates (UAE); Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al-Saeed, The Omani Deputy Premier For Cabinet Affairs; Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, The Qatari Emir; Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, The Kuwaiti Emir and King Hamad Bin Eisa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques welcomed his brothers - the leaders and heads of delegation of the consultative meeting, hoping that this meeting will be a successful one.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Abdulrahman bin Hamad Ala'ateyah held a press conference after the conclusion of the 10th consultative meeting of leaders of the GCC countries.

The secretary general said the meeting issued the following statement:

In response to a noble invitation from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, leaders of the GCC countries held their 10th consultative meeting in the city of Dammam, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday 16 Jumada Alola 1429 H. corresponding to 20 May 2008 G. under the chairmanship of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar and president of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council.

At the outset of the meeting, the leaders expressed deep feelings of sadness for the death of Sheikh Saad Alabdullah Alsalim Alsabah and their appreciation for his efforts for Kuwait and its people and for the GCC.

In the consultative meeting in Dammam, the GCC Supreme Council expressed support for Qatar's hosting of the Lebanese parties for conducting a serious dialogue for solving the Lebanese crisis. The GCC Supreme Council hopes the parties will reach a solution for the Lebanese crisis in a way that ensures security, stability and prosperity for the Lebanese people to culminate the efforts exerted by the Arab ministerial committee led by Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jaber Al Thani, Premier and Foreign Minister of Qatar, and membership of the ministers from the GCC countries.

The leaders blessed the signing of the agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar on the movement of the two countries' citizens with personal card on the way to complete movement of citizens of all member countries easily to boost contact among citizens of the GCC countries.

The leaders expressed happiness for the final signing by Bahrain and Qatar for the building of Almahabah (Love) Bridge between the two countries to achieve the two peoples' aspiration of boosting links among GCC countries' peoples.

The GCC Secretary General presented a briefing on joint cooperation achievements since the Summit of Doha in December and the leaders expressed satisfaction for the steps achieved in this blessed process stressing determination to proceed with a firm and confident plan to achieve progress and prosperity aspirations of the GCC countries' citizens. The leaders valued the efforts exerted by the secretary general to follow up the realization of these achievements.

The leaders made a comprehensive assessment of the developments of the region and the world and expressed deep sorrow for the continuation of conflicts and tensions in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, Somalia, the crisis of the Iranian nuclear file and other regional and international crises.

On the three islands of the Great and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa occupied by Iran and belonging to the United Arab Emirates, the leaders recalled the resolutions and statements on this issue and reiterated the firm positions of the GCC countries supporting the right of the United Arab Emirates to take all peaceful measures to regain its full sovereignty over its three islands calling on Iran to reconsider its position rejecting the finding of a peaceful solution of the issue of the three islands either through serious and direct negotiations or resorting to the International Justice Court.

Over Iran's nuclear crisis, the Supreme Council reiterated its commitment to the GCC firm and well-known principles of respect of international legitimacy and resolution of conflicts peacefully and also renewed its call on the importance of reaching a peaceful solution to this crisis.

The Supreme Council also reiterated its call for making the Middle East region, including the Gulf region, free from all weapons of mass destruction while recognizing the right of countries in the region to possess expertise in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and making this right available for all countries in the region within the relevant international conventions.

On Iraq, the leaders affirmed the firm positions of the GCC countries on the importance of respecting the unity, sovereignty and independence of Iraq, preserving its Arab and Islamic identity, rejecting any calls for dividing the country, and non-interfering in its internal affairs. They also stressed that achieving the security and stability in Iraq requires a political and security solution that tackles the causes of the crisis and uproots sectarian sedition and terrorism and achieves national reconciliation. The leaders expressed support for all efforts in this regard. On the Palestinian issue, the leaders reaffirmed the adherence of the Gulf States to the Arab Peace initiative as a basis for a just and comprehensive solution to the various aspects of Arab - Israeli conflict on all tracks in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions.

The leaders warned of the danger of Israel's persistence in ignoring Arab and international peaceful endeavors, challenging the international legitimacy, Judaizing the occupied Al-Qods, constructing and expanding the settlements, imposing the unjust blockade on Gaza Strip, closing the crossings and exacerbating the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people.

The Leaders also stressed the importance of Palestinian national unity, the basis for protecting the Palestinian national rights, and the need to enforce the Makkah arrangement.

The Leaders welcomed the plan of Russia to convene an international conference in Moscow to review the efforts aiming at achieving a comprehensive and just peace.

On Sudan, the Supreme Council expressed its condemnation of the attack the Justice and Equality Movement launched on the city of Omdurman on the 10th of this month of May, which targeted the security and stability of Sudan. The Council confirmed solidarity with the Government of Sudan, calling for addressing the crisis in Darfur through dialogue and national reconciliation among the Sudanese people.

On Somalia, the Supreme Council called on all Somali parties to renounce violence and halt operations obstructing the march of national reconciliation and to work for achieving national reconciliation and bringing about security and stability in all Somali territories. They also affirmed the need to adhere to the pledges and agreements that were signed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 16 / 9 / 2007 under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the leaders expressed their appreciation and thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud , Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, and the Government and people of Saudi Arabia for the warn reception and generous hospitality accorded to them in Dammam city, capital of the Eastern Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Following that, GCC Secretary General answered questions from the press. He explained that the leaders of the Council had a talk about the proposal of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the development of the Dera'a Al Jazera Force, considered a breakthrough in the progress of Arab Joint work.

He reported that the leaders had expressed satisfaction over and support of the ongoing negotiations on the Lebanese situation under the chairmanship of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, wishing them every success.

For his part, King Hamad bin Eisa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain has expressed happiness for participating along with the other GCC Leaders in the consultative meeting, hosted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

He underlined the importance of mobilization of all potentialities for the preservation of the GCC interests and achievements as well as meeting the aspirations of the nations.

Sheikh Al-Khalifa reiterated that Bahrain is keen on shouldering its role as regards the march of the GCC.

He noted that the regional, Arab and international developments will have an impact on the GCC member states, adding that in the light of that it is an essential matter to take the decisions which protect our interests.

Sheikh Al-Khalifa pointed out that the current developments make it necessary to promote the joint gulf work to match the requirements of the future notably in the economic domains.

The economy which plays a crucial role in cementing our relations requires work for enhancing and realizing a solid economic merger, he said.

Sheikh Al-Khalifa said there is no alternative for enhancing the joint cooperation, and it is necessary to accelerate steps and to go ahead on our path.

It is hoped that the meeting will meet the aspirations of our nations and paves the way for reaching our noble goals, he added.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the President of the UAE, has voiced happiness for participating along with the other GCC leaders in the consultative meeting.

In a press statement following his arrival in the Kingdom, he said the consultative meeting comes within the framework of the keenness of the GCC leaders on consultation for enhancing the march of the GCC.

He reiterated keenness on enhancing joint works in varied domains of developments, economy, defense and security, social and cultural aspects for meeting the aspirations of the GCC nations.

He hoped that the meeting would yield positive results.

Omani Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs Prince Fahd Bin Mahmoud al-Saeed expressed hope that the meeting would contribute in fostering the joint cooperation.

In a press statement following his arrival in the Kingdom, "It's a great honor to take part in the consultative meeting in behalf of Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed of Oman.

Meanwhile, The Secretariat General of the Muslim World League has announced the details of the program for the Global Islamic Conference for Dialogue to be discussed by participants at the conference, scheduled for Makkah from 26-28/5/1429 H. under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

On this occasion, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul-Mohsen Al-Turki, the Secretary General of MWL, extended thanks and appreciation of the scientists, intellectuals, university professors, directors of Islamic centers and researchers to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his interest and welfare of the Global Islamic Conference for Dialogue.

He said the conference will divide its deliberations to five topics in which prominent researchers from all parts of the Islamic world will participate.