Saudi Arabia hopes to settle the question of UAE islands

Saudi Arabia has asserted that it views with satisfaction "the positive development in the relations between Iran and the GCC member states," especially following the visit made by Iranian President Muhammad Khatami to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has announced that it is looking forward to settling the problems suspended, especially the question of the three islands that are claimed by both the United Arab Emirates and Iran, by peaceful means according to the principles of the international law, including the option of submitting the case to the International Court of Justice.

This was expressed in a speech read by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Nizar Obeid Madani on Wednesday during the conference of the OIC foreign ministers held in Burkina Faso.

The Saudi deputy FM added, "We in Saudi Arabia feel pain to see fighting among brothers," expressing his country's desire to settle all disputes by peaceful means.