Syria, Iran top agenda as Kerry meets wary Arabs in Saudi

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry took aim Friday at government corruption, saying it fuels crime, violent extremism and disillusionment with society that contributes to the global refugee crisis.

“If we catch them (Iran) funding terrorism, they’re going to have a problem with the United States Congress and with other people, obviously”, Kerry later told reporters.

Kerry said most of Hezbollah’s arms come from Iran through Syria to Lebanon and that the movement – also a political party – has about 80 thousand missiles. “Overall, I think the United States is very aware of the danger of Iran’s mischief and nefarious activities can do in the region…”

Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah yesterday participated in the GCC foreign ministers’ joint meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Earlier and in an address to the OIC emergency meeting in Jeddah on Thursday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi also criticized the OIC for remaining silent on the main issues facing the Muslim world.

Riyadh and Tehran have said the mutual animosity will not affect the Syria talks.

The violence against Riyadh’s missions occurred after the kingdom executed dissident Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, a driving force behind anti-government protests. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly to the delicate diplomacy, said there had been no signs yet that Saudi-Iran hostility was compromising the Syria peace effort.

The lifting of economic restrictions on Iran comes at a time when the Islamic Republic is on the opposite side of Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf countries in the fighting in Yemen, Syria and Iraq.

“We are quite confident that there is a way to invite the various interested stakeholders that provides for cohesion and the ability to make the process move forward”, Kerry said.

Jaberi Ansari highlighted that “considering the continuation of Palestine’s occupation, inhuman siege of its nation as well as growing threats of Takfiri groups and terrorism against worldwide peace and security, the hasty and irresponsible measure by Saudis in holding the emergency meeting and issuance of a statement which lacks consensus have aggravated divisions among OIC members weakening the organization”.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday said the attack on the Saudi embassy attack was wrong, and against Islam.

With the nuclear deal finished, Kerry has turned his attention to finding a political solution to end the civil war in Syria.

Riyadh broke off diplomatic relations and cut off trade and transport ties with Tehran two weeks ago after protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Iran.

Saudi Arabia and some of its allies responded to those attacks by cutting diplomatic ties with Tehran, and accusing Tehran of being behind numerous terrorist attacks around the world over the past three decades.

A Saudi-led military coalition since March has been supporting local forces and the internationally recognised government of Yemen against Iran-backed Houthi Shia rebels.