GCC Condemns Iran Interference in Region

Addressing the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr by the Saudi authorities, “Loyalty to the Resistance” parliamentary bloc on Thursday accused the Kingdom of seeking to ignite sectarian strife in the Arab peninsula and the region.

Furthermore, Pakistan wants to deepen trade links with both Iran and Saudi Arabia and improve access to their vast energy resources to fuel its power-hungry economy.

Some carried placards with the picture of Nimr, the cleric and activist whose execution by Saudi Arabia on Saturday unleashed a wave of anger across the Shiite world.

A number of Saudi Arabia’s allies have broken diplomatic ties with Iran after demonstrators vandalized the Saudi embassy in Tehran last weekend.

They did not fail to renew full support for the “downtrodden” people of Yemen in defending their country and sovereignty against the Saudi hostilities.

The Friday’s protests were the latest in a series of similar demonstrations that have turned violent following the execution of Sheikh Nimr earlier this month.

Bahrain, Djibouti and Somalia have severed diplomatic relations with Iran, emulating the Saudi example.

Iran’s foreign minister says Saudi Arabia has to make “a crucial choice” – either continue supporting extremists and promoting sectarian hatred or promote good neighbourliness and regional stability.

Shiite protesters in eastern Saudi Arabia called Friday for the “death” of the Sunni-majority kingdom’s ruling Al-Saud family at a rally to honor Nimr, a witness said.

The GCC foreign ministers praised the efficiency, independence and integrity of the judiciary system in Saudi Arabia.

After the meeting the GCC, which comprises Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, condemned what they said was Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Saudi Arabia and the region.

The relationship of Iran and Saudi Arabia, which support opposing sides in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, is significant due to the possibility that the two parties can play key roles in ongoing peace efforts to end fighting in these countries.

It said Tehran’s criticism had “directly incited the aggressions targeting Saudi diplomatic missions”.

Iran and Saudi Arabia have repeatedly accused each other of backing extremist groups who are wreaking chaos in the Middle East.