Gulf states foreign ministers discuss relations with Iran, disputes over islands

The Gulf Cooperation Council states' foreign ministers are to convene the 71st session of the council on June 12 - 13 at the headquarters of the GCC general trusteeship in Riyadh under the chairmanship of UAE Foreign Minister Rashid bin Abdallah al-Nuaymi, in the attendance of the council's secretary general, Sheikh Jamil al-Hujeilan.

Gulf sources stated that the ministers will discuss relations with Iran after the visits paid by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

They will also discuss the dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates over Greater Tanb, Lesser Tanb and Abu Mousa islands.

The ministers, moreover, will discuss the situation in Iraq, Gulf security, the Middle East peace process in light of the election of Ehud Barak as Israeli prime minister, and the Bahrain - Qatar border dispute which is currently raised up before the International Court of Justice in the Hague.