Consultation & cooperation

King Salman lauds constructive discussion at GCC summit

Barack Obama pledges vigilance against Tehran

‘We have serious concerns about Iranian behavior’

The summit of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and US President Barack Obama concluded at Al-Diriyah Palace in Riyadh on Thursday with a pledge to exert joint efforts in their campaign to destroy Daesh (the so called IS) terrorists.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman greets US President Barack Obama at the venue of the summit while Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa looks on. — SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman chaired the session. In his speech, the King stressed the keenness and commitment of the GCC states on developing historical and strategic relations among the GCC states and the US in order to serve common interests, as well as to bolster security and peace in the region and the world.

At the outset of the speech, the King thanked Obama for attending the summit. “On behalf of the GCC leaders and myself, I thank your Excellency for attending this constructive and fruitful summit which will contribute to enhance consultation and cooperation among the GCC states and the United States.”

The King lauded the constructive discussions and the outcome of the summit. “I wish you all happiness and health as well as security, stability and prosperity for our countries,” the King said.

The Saudi delegation that attended the summit also included Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior; Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense; Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir; President of the General Intelligence Khalid Al-Humaidan, Saudi Ambassador to US Prince Abdullah Bin Faisal, and Minister of State and Cabinet Member Dr. Musaed Bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.

Earlier, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, amir of Kuwait, held separate talks with Obama at Al-Diriyah Palace. They discussed a number of regional and international issues, particularly the international efforts to combat terrorism, and reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East, especially in Syria, Yemen and Libya. They also discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Obama, meanwhile, pledged vigilance against Tehran at the GCC summit but also defended the Iran nuclear deal he lobbied for with the EU.

Gulf states have long expressed concerns over Iran’s interference and meddling in the region, a worry Obama has tackled in his Riyadh visit when he said Iran must be held “accountable” and that the US is going to work to stop Iran from backing the Houthi militia group in Yemen.

However, he said there is a need for a “dialogue” as well, highlighting his administration’s keenness for diplomacy.

Citing Iran’s “destabilizing activities” in the region, he said: “Even with the nuclear deal we recognize collectively that we continue to have serious concerns about Iranian behavior,” at the close of a meeting with the six-nation GCC.

But he added: “None of our nations have an interest in conflict with Iran.”
While concerns remain over Iran and economic issues including oil, Obama said, he also described the GCC countries as united in their commitment to defeating Daesh and de-escalating other region conflicts. “We remain united in our fight to destroy Daesh,” he said.

“The United States and the GCC will launch a new high-level economic dialogue with a focus on adjusting to lower oil prices, increasing our economic ties and supporting GCC reforms as they work to provide jobs and opportunities to their young people and all of their citizens,” he added.

The summit follows bilateral talks that Obama held with King Salman on Wednesday shortly after arriving in the Kingdom.

The White House said the summit meeting will include three sessions. One is aimed at fostering regional stability and another at counterterrorism efforts including efforts to defeat Al-Qaeda and Daesh militants. A third session will focus on Iran.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries share the US view that Daesh militants pose a threat, and have joined the US-led bombing campaign against the group. But they want the US to do more to attempt to remove Syrian President Bashar Assad from power.

Following his meetings with Gulf leaders, Obama planned to depart Saudi Arabia late Thursday for Britain and Germany, the final two stops on his trip. — With Al-Arabiya and agencies