Sheikh Zayed opens Gulf states summit in Abu Dhabi

President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan on Monday night opened the 19th summit of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the presence of the summit's guests, president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid and the secretary of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Azeddine Laraki.

In an inaugural speech, Sheikh Zayed said this summit should "oblige us to meet as Arab and Muslims." Speaking about the three UAE islands occupied by Iran Sheikh Zayed said, "Leaders of the GCC will settle this dispute by peaceful means," adding that "negotiations are but our strongest weapons to achieve peace and development."

In a press conference he held, the UN chief said he is mediating between Iran and the UAE to settle the island issue. He urged in his speech, at the summit, Iraq to continue abiding by UN Security Council resolutions. Annan added the "memorandum of understanding between him and Baghdad is still valid to deal with the crisis between Iraq and the UN."

Annan considered the Wye River agreement an encouraging step, calling upon all sides concerned to exert their efforts to create amicable economic and political conditions in order to achieve peace.

On the three UAE islands, the UN chief called upon the GCC summit members to "continue your policy in settling border issues peacefully."

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary for human rights, Annan called upon the countries of the GCC member states to react to this occasion "because human rights are but a reflection of tolerance."