Al-Ateyah: Gulf summit held on time in Doha

The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has denied any intention to postpone the convening of the GCC summit as a precaution in the event of a military attack against Iraq. He stressed that the summit will be held by the end of December in Doha as scheduled.

The GCC secretary general Abdul Rahman al-Ateyah said in a press statement on Wednesday that the GCC summit will be held in Doha as scheduled and without any change, and that the preparatory ministerial meeting for the summit will be held in Doha on November 20. He stressed that the GCC member states is dealing seriously and realistically with various developments so as to ensure the region's security and stability.

He stressed that the most important issue now is the return of the UN inspectors to Iraq as soon as possible, hoping that the quick return back of the UN inspectors will contribute to ending the current crisis and paving the way for implementing international resolutions. He explained that these resolutions include the release of the Kuwaiti prisoners, returning back properties claimed by the Kuwaitis since the end of the Gulf war in 1991. Steps that will contribute to improving the opportunities for a diplomatic solution and avoiding Iraq any military threats.

He stressed the care of the Gulf member states: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman to maintain Iraq's territorial integrity and national sovereignty and the rejection of these states to direct any military attack to any Arab and Islamic states including Iraq.

He stressed that the military training "Rimah al-Khaleij 1" ( Swords of the Gulf 1) which started on Friday near Abu Dhabi has no links to the Iraqi issue.