Gulf summit and Iraq and Iran
Gulf-Regional, Politics, 12/19/2005

Works of the 26th annual ordinary summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which is hosted by the United Arab Emirates for two days, opened in Abu Dhabi in the presence of the six Guldf states leaders.

The summit discusses several issues pertinent to the Gulf region. It also discusses the implications of other regional incidents including the developments of conditions in Iraq and the proposal by the GCC secretary general to invite Iran and all countries that overlook the Gulf to declare the Gulf as a region free from mass destruction weapons.

The president of the United Arab Emirates UAE Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan opened the summit by a speech he delivered in which he indicated that the achievements so far achieved in the Gulf region comply with the aims and objectives of the people of the Gulf area. He indicated that "the quality and quantity of the challenges have changed, and we have to fortify our people in order to face these challenges."

Tthe GCC annual summit currently held in Abu Dhabi is expected to call for intensifying the diplomatic efforts with Iran over its nuclear activities, amid the concern of the GCC member states that Iran's nuclear ambitions will be over controlled, because Iran realizes it will shoulder the burden of any escalation.

One Gulf official asked to be anonymous said that talks between the GCC member states and Iran will also concentrate on the growing Iranian influence in Iraq after the Shiite had controlled the authority following the collapse of the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Saudi Arabia had openly accused Tehran of interfering in the Iraqi internal affairs.

The GCC secretary general Abdul Rahman al-Atiyah said in a press conference on Saturday that the GCC will discuss developments in Syria and Lebanon, stressing the importance that the two states should preserve their historical relations. He explained that the GCC leaders will confirm their support for Lebanon politically and economically.

Atiyeh expressed his satisfaction over the preliminary results of the Iraqi elections, expressing his hope to form a "non sectarian government" He also expressed his hope that the political operation in Iraq, either in regard of the legislative elections or the formation of the next government, will take into account the components of the Iraqi people and their political strata. He explained that the summit will confirm support for Iraq and its unity and the need of not interfering in its internal affairs.

Previous Stories:
  Obstacles, challenges facing Gulf states summit   (12/16/2005)
  Iran's foreign minister heads to Saudi Arabia to contain looming crisis   (10/4/2005)
  Gulf states supports Iraq's independence, Lebanon's unity   (5/30/2005)

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