Arab and Muslim heads of state on Friday denounced Iranian actions in the Gulf as destabilizing to regional security and urged that the International community takes “strict measures” against the Iranian regime.
In a gathering in Makkah early Friday, the Arab League heads of nations issued a final communique demanding that the Iranian regime must stop funding terror and and to abide by commitments it has made.
The leaders condemned the sabotage of four commercial ships in the Emirates, which has escalated tensions in the region and precipitated a summit in the Muslim holy city.
They asked the international community to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities.
The final communique also:
• denounced Iranian intervention in the Syrian crisis and its impact on Syria’s unity;
• condemned the launching of Iranian-made ballistic missiles from Yemen toward Saudi Arabia;
• condemned Iran’s interference in the affairs of Bahrain, and its support of terrorist groups there; and
• condemned Iran’s occupation of three islands belonging to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Gulf and Arab League emergency summits kicked off on Thursday in Makkah for the start of a trio of high-level summits after Saudi Arabian King Salman convened the gatherings earlier this month. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit will be held later Friday, entitled the Makkah Summit: Hand in Hand Towards the Future (Together towards the Future).
Also on the agenda is Palestine, which Saudi Arabian foreign minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf spoke about on Wednesday at a preparatory conference saying: “I would like to emphasize that the Palestinian issue is a paramount issue for Saudi Arabia, in particular the Palestinian people's full legitimate rights and the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
He added: “Our Islamic world is facing the most serious challenges of interfering in its internal affairs.”
OIC Secretary-General Yousef Al-Othaimeen said Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia will be discussed at the Islamic Summit.
He told Saudi TV that all countries share common interests regardless of religion or race. He condemned interference in other countries’ internal affairs.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Arab News that his country is willing to help resolve “longstanding issues” between Muslim countries.
“Pakistan believes that this region is in flux,” he said. “Our message is that we have to join hands. We have to understand each other’s concerns, and have a collective objective of peace and stability so that our region can develop like other parts of the world.”
SOURCE : ARABNEWS
