Gulf summit on regional security begins in Saudi Arabia

The Riyadh declaration noted that the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the strengthening of integration among the GCC states, which was approved by the leaders in this session, demonstrates the priorities of the joint work next year.

Along with Yemen, the assembled Gulf Arab leaders also discussed the conflict in Syria, Iranian interference in regional affairs and rising “hostile rhetoric” towards Muslims and refugees. The GCC represents the oil and gas-rich states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Syrian opposition groups and rebel factions began talks in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Wednesday in an effort to form a unified front ahead of proposed peace negotiations with Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government.

Gulf Arab leaders meeting in Saudi Arabia reiterated Thursday their calls for a political solution to the wars in Yemen and Syria, but the kingdom’s foreign minister went a step further, criticizing Iran’s role in those conflicts.

A source in the National Coalition, the main opposition group which is based in Istanbul, said Thursday that the delegates had agreed on a set of basic principles, including ensuring Syria is a “pluralist and civil state” and guaranteeing the country’s territorial integrity. Continuation of efforts made to remove Iran from the political process in Yemen’s crisis, Saudi Arabia’s win in Yemen’s crisis, continuation of the existing trend with the crisis turning into a war of attrition, in addition to effectiveness of mediatory measures are other scenarios that can be considered with regard to this crisis.

The islands, it stated, have been managed by Yemeni troopers loyal to Saleh and utilized by the Houthis to retailer weapons and smuggle them into Hodeida, Yemen’s important Red Sea port.

Jihadists have taken advantage of the chaos to expand their presence.

Saudi Arabia-led coalition forces have carried out a series of air strikes targeting schools that were still in use, in violation of global humanitarian law, and hampering access to education for thousands of Yemen’s children, said Amnesty worldwide in a new briefing published today.

“Terrorism has no religion, and our tolerant religion rejects it, as it is the religion of moderation and tolerance”, the leaders emphasized.

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani taking part in the 36th meeting of the GCC Supreme Council’s closing session at Al Dir’aiyah Palace in Riyadh yesterday.

Yemeni warring parties are due to gather in Switzerland next week for United Nations-sponsored peace talks.

“This summit comes as the Gulf is witnessing one of its most critical years”, said Mr Farea al-Muslimi, a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Centre.

He sees “internal disagreement” among the Gulf states as they face complicated economic and security challenges.