The Gulf Cooperation Council expressed rejection to foreign interference in the Iraqi crisis, in reference to Iran’s direct involvement in Iraq’s war against ISIS, during a meeting held in Riyadh on Thursday

“The GCC Arab States confirm their support for Iraq's unity and territorial integrity and for the Iraqi government to help it for maintaining security and stability in Iraq, and non-interference in its internal affairs and extending its sovereignty over all its territory,” said Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah who chaired the session, in statements carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

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Attiyah said this “wont' be achieved but only with the cooperation of all spectrums of Iraqi people and concerted efforts to give priority to the interests of Iraq, preserve the coherence of its people and the unity of the national territory.”

The Qatari foreign minister stressed the firm position of the Gulf stateson ridding the Middle East of nuclear weapons, while recognizing the right of countries in the region to possess nuclear expertise in the field of nuclear energy in accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency standards.

He reiterated the bloc’s call for Iran to respond to international efforts to reach a political settlement of its nuclear program that ensures security and stability of the region.

Yemen

The Arab countries also voiced their support for Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who fled a siege by the Houthi rebels in the capital Sanaa last month and currently holds court in the southern city of Aden, which he declared as a temporary capital.

Several GCC countries moved their ambassador to Aden in a demonstration of support for the Hadi.

Hadi had called last week for peace talks, which are being sponsored by the United Nations, to be held outside of Yemen and Saudi Arabia has proposed hosting the talks.

On the Syrian crisis, the Gulf bloc called for “rapid and effective intervention by the United Nations and the international community, especially the Security Council, to take sufficient and deterrent measures to protect armless civilians and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.”

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:45 - GMT 06:45