NEW YORK: The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has reiterated its deep concern over kidnapping of Qatari nationals in Iraq last year, who had entered the country with official permission from the Iraqi Interior Ministry and in coordination with the Iraqi embassy in Doha.
In a statement issued at the end of the 104th session held in New York, the GCC Ministerial Council said that this terrorist act was a flagrant violation of international law and human rights and is contrary to the tenets of Islam, and offended the friendly relations between the Arab brothers, Qatar News Agency reported yesterday.
The Council reiterated its full solidarity with the Qatari government and its support in any action being taken, and hoped that contacts with the Iraqi government would lead to the release of hostages and their safe return to their country.
The Council called on the Iraqi government to shoulder responsibility for ensuring the safety of the hostages and for securing their release.
The statement reaffirmed GCC’s firm position towards terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations and its absolute commitment to fight extremist ideologies that distort the religion of Islam.
The Council stressed that tolerance and coexistence between the nations and peoples are among the most important principles and values of the GCC communities.
The statement strongly condemned the suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia in the holy month of Ramadan near the Prophet›s Mosque in Medina, the province of Qatif and Jeddah, describing them as appalling crimes that are contrary to all human values and moral principles.
The Council stressed the GCC countries› support to Saudi Arabia in all measures taken to protect its security and stability and ensure and safety of visitors to the holy places.
The Council stressed the need to intensify coordination and cooperation to meet the challenges facing the region and to eliminate the threats of terrorism, and to work to drain its resources, in order to strengthen the region›s security and stability.
The Council expressed deep concern over concern over the US Senate’s passing of a bill that allows victims of 9/11 attacks to sue governments of foreign countries in US courts and called on the US government not to approve the bill because it will be an unprecedented action in international relations.
The Council rejected Iran’s intervention in internal affair of the GCC countries and its politicisation of Haj . It called on Iran to stop this aggressive stance and to cooperate with Saudi authorities in organising the Haj.QNA
