(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Gulf Co-operation Council members yesterday pledged to fight 'terrorism and 'foreign interference across the region.
In a joint statement following a summit in Riyadh, interior ministers of the six-nation council said they were determined to prevent 'harm to their national unity, the provoking of sectarian tensions and support for terrorist groups.
They said GCC states had shown determination to build bridges of co-operation with other states in the region.
'The biggest challenge facing any state in the modern world is preserving its national unity against foreign and domestic threats, said Saudi Interior Minister Prince Mohamed bin Naif, who chaired the summit.
The GCC states 'continue to face dangerous challenges emanating from Iranian and Iraqi soil, he said.
The meeting also welcomed the release of 26 Qatari nationals and two Saudi citizens who were kidnapped in Iraq while on a hunting trip, hailing the efforts exerted to secure their freedom and safe return to their families.
GCC Secretary General Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani said the meeting was a follow-up to the decision of the 16th consultative meeting of the Supreme Council held in Jeddah in 2016.
Speaking at the end of a joint meeting of interior, foreign and defence ministers, GCC Secretary General Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani said the ministers expressed their appreciation for the directives of GCC leaders and their strenuous efforts to enhance the progress of the region.
The ministers stressed the importance of the trilateral meeting to exchange constructive visions and ideas and monitor the political and security developments in the region and their repercussions on security and stability in the GCC states.
Al-Zayani said the ministers reviewed political, security and defence issues as well as the regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and extremist groups.
The ministers praised the international support of the Islamic coalition to combat terrorism.
The ministers voiced the determination of the GCC states to work towards more Gulf integration.
They hailed the high level of co-operation and integration of GCC states in joint political, defence and security work as well as the advanced stages of co-operation that indicate the belief of the members that their security and stability are indivisible. They vowed to intensify efforts for more integrative achievements in order to preserve the sovereignty, independence, security and stability of the states, and in defence of their gains and common interests.
The meeting affirmed the determination of the states to combat terrorism and expressed support for all actions that GCC countries take to combat terrorism and terrorist groups to preserve their security and stability, pursue criminal groups and elements, dry up terrorists' sources of funding, and fight its misguided ideas that contradict with the true teachings of Islam.
They praised the successful efforts of Gulf-based centres on confronting extremism and violent thought.
The ministers affirmed the continued participation of GCC countries in supporting the efforts of the US-led international coalition to fight the IS group in Syria and Iraq and across the region.
They stressed the continued support of GCC states for legitimacy in Yemen, and backing the efforts of the international community to end the crisis based on the Gulf initiative, the outcomes of the national dialogue, and Security Council Resolution 2216.
The ministers expressed satisfaction at the development and the achievements of the Arab coalition towards restoring legitimacy, hailing the efforts to support Yemen's reconstruction and delivering aid to alleviate the suffering of the people.
Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani.
The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah. The Prime Minister later attended a luncheon banquet hosted by Saudi Crown Prince and Interior Minister Prince Mohamed bin Naif.
Earlier, the Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival at King Salman Air Base by Prince Mohamed bin Naif, Prince Mohamed bin Salman, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, GCC Secretary General Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani, Qatar's ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer al-Thani and members of the embassy.
Last updated: April 28 2017 09:26 AM
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