GCC: Israel obstructs peace

The Gulf Cooperation Council GCC member states have asserted that Israel is obstructing the Middle East peace process.

During their meeting on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi with US Undersecretary of State for Middle East Affairs Martin Indyk, secretaries of the GCC foreign ministries called on the international community to pressure Israel to abide by basics of the peace process and to abide by its obligations concerning reached agreements.

Indyk had expressed his optimism that peace talks will be resumed on all tracks after Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak forms his new government.

Indyk noted that Barak will visit Washington after the formation of his government, but he did not set a date for this visit.

The meeting also dealt with the situation in the Gulf, relations with Iran, the continuation of the Iranian occupation of three islands claimed by the United Arab Emirates, the situation between India and Pakistan and the return of Kosovo's refugees.