(MENAFN- Arab Times) His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah said on Tuesday the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have proven their solidarity in dealing with unprecedented crucial political and security events, earning thus commendations from far and wide. Addressing the 15th GCC Consultative Summit held here today, His Highness the Amir said the GCC has shown cohesiveness in participating with the world community in fighting terrorism, trying to bring back stability to Iraq, seeking a viable solution to the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria, and working on the revival of a peace process for the Middle East crisis. Moreover, the GCC has stepped up its effectiveness regionally by undertaking military action in Yemen to preserve the legitimacy of its government and its stability and security, said His Highness the Amir. In doing so, the GCC has demonstrated its ability to defend its interests and that it has ample capabilities in the political, economic, and military spheres, said His Highness the Amir.
Turning to the nuclear agreement between the group of P5+1 nations and Iran, His Highness the Amir said: "We share with the world its welcome and optimism regarding the agreement and look forward to having both sides sign a final agreement by the end of next June." His Highness the Amir underscored the GCC states' well-placed fears vis-a-vis the Iranian nuclear program, hoping that signing a final agreement would dissipate these fears and anxieties and would enable the GCC to see Iranian conduct in the region that would reflect the spirit of a signed final agreement.
His Highness the Amir referred in his speech to the upcoming meeting in Camp David between US President Barack Obama and leaders of the GCC, noting that it would be a fortuitous opportunity to have the leaders of the GCC exchange viewpoints with the leader of a strategic ally of the region and a permanent member in the UNSC and a major player on the world political scene and one of the largest economies in the world.
Moreover, His Highness the Amir advised that a unified GCC stance regarding vital and major issues be forwarded at the Camp David meeting. He affirmed the imperative to foster a joint vision among the member states of the GCC in the face of challenges that require mature wisdom, piercing awareness, and agile action. Saudi Arabia's King Salman said Tuesday that Gulf leaders must stand up to Iran. King Salman's call came at a meeting of Gulf leaders in Riyadh that was also attended by French President Francois Hollande, who said his country was "by the side" of Gulf nations. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit came amid mounting international concern about the impact on civilians of Saudi-led air strikes targeting Yemeni rebels.
Threat
In a clear reference to Iran, Salman spoke of the need to confront an external threat that "aims to expand control and impose its hegemony", threatening regional stability and creating "sectarian sedition". Soon afterwards, the Saudi-led coalition carrying out air raids in Yemen said mortar shells fired by Iran-backed Houthi Shiite rebels from across the border had struck the Saudi town of Najran. Hollande, the first Western leader to attend a GCC summit, said France shared the dangers facing the region and he had come "to affirm the commitment of France to be by your side".
The Riyadh summit brought together leaders from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Hollande told the summit France supports coalition efforts "to ensure the stability of Yemen". His visit comes as Paris strengthens its political and economic relations with the oil- and gas-rich Gulf states. He arrived in Riyadh from GCC member Qatar after attending the signing of a 6.3-billion-euro ($7-billion) deal between French aerospace firm Dassault and Qatari defence officials. The agreement includes an order for 24 Rafale fighter jets, with an option on a further 12. On Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Paris and Riyadh are also discussing 20 economic projects worth "tens of billions of euros".
Hollande's visit comes as US President Obama prepares to host GCC leaders for talks next week. Most GCC countries are also part of a US-led air coalition targeting the Islamic State jihadist group in Iraq and Syria. Security was high in Riyadh Tuesday after IS threats to attack the kingdom, with green-bereted Royal Guards manning checkpoints and a sniffer dog checking vehicles. Both Paris and Washington have sought to reassure the Gulf states about an international accord being finalised over Iran's nuclear programme. The Gulf fears Iran could still develop an atomic bomb under the deal that would limit its nuclear capabilities in return for lifting crippling international sanctions.
Tehran denies trying to develop a nuclear weapon. "I know that Iran is at the heart of your preoccupations," Hollande said. The only other foreign leader invited to a GCC summit was Iran's then-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in 2007. US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Saudi Arabia this week before security talks in France. On Monday after Hollande met Salman, a joint French-Saudi declaration "stressed the need to achieve by June 30, a robust (nuclear) agreement that is lasting, verifiable, indisputable and binding for Iran" which must "ensure" it would not develop an atomic bomb.
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