Gulf States Lash Out at Iran, Urge Rapid Syria Transition

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

The six Gulf states sharpened their tone against their Shiite neighbor Iran on Tuesday, demanding an immediate halt to its "interference" in their internal affairs while urging a rapid political transition in its ally Syria.

Concluding a two-day summit in Manama, the Gulf Cooperation Council members voiced support for Bahrain's Sunni minority regime while lashing out at Tehran, which they accuse of fueling a Shiite-led uprising in the host country last year.

In a joint statement, the GCC countries said they "reject and denounce" Iran's "continued interference" in their internal affairs.

They added that Tehran must "immediately and completely stop these actions and policies that increase regional tension and threaten security and stability".

The six states -- Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates -- also condemned Iran's "continued occupation of the three Emirati islands" of Abu Moussa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb, which lie in the strategic Strait of Hormuz entrance to the Gulf.

In addition to the dispute over the islands, relations between Iran and most GCC states have been further strained since Gulf troops rolled into Bahrain last year to help put down the Shiite-led protests.

The regional powers have also taken opposite stances towards the Syrian crisis. While Tehran has openly supported President Bashar Assad's regime, GCC members Saudi Arabia and Qatar have called for arming rebels fighting regime loyalists.

In their Tuesday statement, the GCC monarchies expressed "deep sadness over the continued shedding of blood by the regime and the destruction of cities and infrastructure, making political transition a demand which must be rapidly implemented."

They also urged the international community "to make a quick and serious move to end massacres" in Syria and provide humanitarian assistance to the people.

Kuwait's emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah announced Monday a donor conference on behalf of civilians caught up in the Syrian conflict to be held on January 30 at the request of the United Nations.

The GCC states also affirmed their support for the newly-formed opposition National Coalition "as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people."

The statement meanwhile welcomed a decision by Yemeni President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi to restructure the army and the defense ministry, purging them of relatives and cronies of former strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The Gulf states had strongly backed a political deal reached last year in which Saleh resigned following a year-long uprising in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest nation.

The GCC called on "all components of the Yemeni people" to participate in a national dialogue after it failed to take place last month when southern separatists refused to join the talks. The dialogue is part of the transition period, as per the Gulf-backed deal.

The summit had opened Monday with a call for closer economic integration and unity in the face of the turmoil which has swept much of the Middle East and North Africa.

In the closing statement, the meeting said the GCC states had decided to accelerate the process of integrating the economic gap between member states and had approved a security treaty, while announcing the creation of a unified military command. No further details were given.

Four of the six heads of state did not attend the annual gathering.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is convalescing after a back operation in November, while Qatar sent its crown prince, the United Arab Emirates its vice president, and Oman its deputy prime minister.

The next summit will be held in Kuwait.

Comments 9
Default-user-icon + oua mabka + (Guest) 25 December 2012, 13:19

Merry christmas to all gulf states

Thumb habib 25 December 2012, 13:42

Ya ekhwan mala7hada yesall 3an sha3b bi Syria eza bihomkon ento jma3o jyoshkon wfoto khalso la hash3eb wad7a mabeda Shi lasho hajyosh kolla khafo alla

Default-user-icon +oua nabka + (Guest) 25 December 2012, 22:05

hope these gulf state lash at israel with the same level they lash out at iran
so why they dont do it against israel hummm?????

Missing samiam 25 December 2012, 23:18

Ask your buddy Nasrallah why he differentiates between what is going in Syria and in Bahrain. One has a majority Sunni population ruled by Shii and the other has a majority Shia population owned by Sunnis. I think he is racist, but other think he is being subservient to Iran.

Which one is it?

Missing peace 26 December 2012, 01:10

sure in bahrein they shell and bomb shias ... just like in syria ma hek? you whine for bahrein but support syria , the more YOU speak the dumber you sound with all due respect

Missing peace 26 December 2012, 01:11

Shia's dont hate Sunni = hezbi extremists do....

Missing gabby12 26 December 2012, 01:21

The Persian axis is being chopped to pieces. Hamas turned away, PFLP lost all Palestinian support now, ASSad going down the toilet.....then Hizbcocaine will get rammed from behind.

Missing gabby12 26 December 2012, 07:17

Quick transition in Syria may not come but it is coming. No deals for another Baathist to replace him. Brahimi can stop trying. The FSA elements are taking towns and bases regularly now the tipping point is coming.

Thumb LebDinosaur 26 December 2012, 07:34

Iran needs to be controlled. Why can't they stick to their own affairs. They have been exporting extremism & backwardism since 1979.