GCC seeks neighborly relations with Iran
During the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has confirmed that Riyadh aspires to reach a political resolution in Yemen.
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The Gulf Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
At the conclusion of the 42nd session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Riyadh, a final statement articulated the need for GCC countries to take part in international negotiations with Iran, adding that Arab countries aspire to reach a solution regarding the Iranian nuclear "crisis".
In light of the instability in the region and the world, Secretary-General of the GCC Nayef Al-Hajraf stressed that the GCC is indivisible, highlighting the importance of having economic unity and joint defense and security.
In its final statement, the GCC called on Lebanon to ensure necessary reform and combat corruption, and to prevent Hezbollah from carrying out what it calls "terrorist" activities in the region, which it claims are "destabilizing Arab countries."
Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) expressed Riyadh's support for reaching a diplomatic solution regarding the war on Yemen.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan affirmed that Saudi Arabia looks forward to friendly and beneficial relations with Iran, although 'words should be turned into actions' to this end.
It is notable that two days ago, the security talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran have been officially concluded, according to the Arab Institute for Security Studies (ACSIS) in Amman that hosted the talks.
Petra agency reported that the two nations showed a mutual desire to develop relations and enhance regional stability.
The leaders present at the GCC agreed to ensure their compliance with Article two of the Mutual Defense Agreement which formally commits the members of the organization to "consider external aggression against one member as an attack on all. "
Bennett in the first visit by Israeli PM to UAE
In a related context, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett headed to the United Arab Emirates on December 12, his office said, in the first official visit by an Israeli premier since the two established diplomatic ties last year.
According to Haaretz, "Israel’s" Ambassador to the UAE said that “the Iranian issue was on the table of the negotiations, where the developments of the Iranian nuclear was discussed, especially that Israel had asked the US earlier this month to immediately halt the Vienna Talks.”
Fearing rapprochement between Iran and the UAE, Arab Affairs commentator in the Israeli Channel 12, Ohad Hamo, said, "This is why we have recently seen parties in the UAE trying to be close to Iranians, and Bennett might have visited the UAE to stop this,” commenting on the purpose of the visit.