GCC Condemns Iran Interference in Region

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers fully backed Saudi Arabia's actions to fight terrorism and bringing to justice those who commit or sponsor acts of terrorism in a statement issued today after an extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council.

The meeting was held in Riyadh under the chairmanship of Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir.

The council discussed at length the repercussions of the attacks on the Saudi embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad. The ministers condemned the attacks in strong terms, holding the Iranian authorities fully responsible for these acts in accordance with its commitments under the 1961 and 1963 Vienna Conventions and other articles of the international law, which hold host countries responsible for protecting diplomatic missions.

The council also condemned Iran's blatant interferences in the internal affairs of Saudi Arabia, particularly the Iranian government's hostile and provocative statements on the sentences carried out by Saudi Arabia against a number of persons convicted by Saudi courts of terrorism. These statements were a direct incitement for launching the attacks on the diplomatic missions of Saudi Arabia.

The council stressed that such acts do not serve peace and security in the region and the world; are contrary to the principles of good neighborliness, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and respect for national sovereignty; and only serve to complicate the situation and ignite more crises in the region.

The council stressed that GCC countries support the decisions and measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to find perpetrators of terrorist acts and instigators of sedition and bring them to justice.

The GCC foreign ministers praised the efficiency, independence and integrity of the judiciary system in Saudi Arabia.

The council expressed its full support for the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to respond to the attacks on its diplomatic missions in Iran, stressing that the GCC countries will take further appropriate measures. The council welcomed the categorical rejection of these attacks expressed by Arab, Islamic and friendly countries and the UN Security Council, calling on all States and the international community to take serious and effective steps to prevent such attacks on diplomatic missions in Iran.

The council condemned Iran's continued occupation of three islands that are the territory of the United Arab Emirates, fomenting of sectarian strife, support for terrorist organizations, and incitement to undermine security and stability in the GCC countries. The council agreed to establish an effective mechanism to address the Iranian interference.

The council urged the international community to take necessary measures to compel Iran to respect the principle of good neighborliness, to stop its destabilizing activities in the region, to stop its support for terrorism, to cease interfering in the internal affairs of the GCC countries and other countries in the region, and to end the use of force or threat of force.

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office