Peace meet

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attended, along with other leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States, the opening session of the 36th GCC Summit, which started yesterday at Al-Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia under the patronage of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. 

Addressing the inaugural session, the Saudi King called for political solutions to the wars in Syria and Yemen. King Salman voiced “support for a political settlement which guarantees the territorial integrity of Syria,” after nearly five years of war. On behalf of the Gulf States, King Salman also called for “a peaceful solution” in neighbouring Yemen.

 He urged all GCC member States to join ranks and work together to protect their States against external threats and designs, help other countries regain their security and stability. The King also called for unity in confronting the challenges and settling Arab causes, particularly the Palestinian issue, and enable the Palestinians to recover their rights and establish an independent state with al-Al-Quds as its capital.

The Saudi leader reiterated the keenness of the States taking part in the Arab alliance to achieve security under its legitimate government. The GCC member States, he said, support peaceful solution so as to enable Yemen to overcome its crisis and resume the march of development. 

He said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia now hosts the Syrian opposition in support of a political solution, which preserves the territorial integrity of Syria on the basis of Geneva 1 resolutions. Moreover, King Salman said all countries had a responsibility to combat terrorism and extremism. “Islam rejects and abhors terrorism, because it is a religion of moderation and tolerance,” he added. 

Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait; Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Cabinet’s Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman were also present.