Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned the terrorist Houthi militia’s attacks on Saudi Arabia.

In a statement issued at the end of the 149th session of the council at the level of foreign ministers here on Thursday, the ministers reiterated support for the Yemeni legitimacy and stressed the need to strengthen their joint cooperation to meet the challenges and enhance coordination at all levels.

The ministers also voiced their support for the Afghan people. GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf said that Riyadh witnessed two separate meeting of GCC foreign ministers. The first meeting brought together the foreign ministers of GCC with Yemen’s foreign minister, while the second meeting with Iraq’s foreign minister.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak said that the council stressed the need to implement the Riyadh Agreement on Yemen, vowing support for all efforts to end the war in his country.

He said that the Houthi coup has caused a serious humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The minister called on the council to adopt the call for member states to hold an emergency conference to provide economic support to his country.

With regard to Iraq, the ministerial session statement pointed out that the GCC would work to enhance security in the region.

The meeting, which discussed ways to support the Iraqi economy, called on all parties to work for the success of the Iraqi elections, as well as to accelerate joint action plans with Baghdad.

On his part, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein condemned the Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. He stressed that his country is trying to bring the views of the GCC states and Iran closer.

While emphasizing that Iraq seeks balance in its foreign relations, he welcomed all the initiatives of the GCC for strategic dialogue.

“Iraq is looking forward to elevating the joint action plan in the future to the level of a full strategic agreement as a step to enhance cooperation in all fields, consolidate relations and promote common interests,” he said.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani, who is also chairman of the council, stressed in his presidential speech that maintaining the GCC as a firm and stable entity requires working to implement what was issued at the AlUla GCC summit.

He noted that the summit emphasized the need for countries to adhere to the principles and goals that ensure the cohesion of the GCC and enhance its progress.

On the Palestinian issue, the GCC statement reiterated the unwavering and firm stance towards the cause. It condemned the attack on an oil tanker in the Sea of Oman a few weeks ago.

The council session discussed a number of reports on the follow-up to the implementation of the decisions of the AlUla Summit as well as topics related to the strategic relations between the Gulf States, in addition to the latest developments in the region.