DOHA: Foreign Ministers of the GCC states yesterday condemned the Swedish foreign minister’s accusations against Saudi Arabia regarding human rights, saying they were contrary to international norms and conventions and an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassador to Sweden in response to criticism of its human rights record by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem.
The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states held the 134th session of GCC foreign ministers in Riyadh yesterday under the chairmanship of Qatar’s Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, with GCC foreign ministers and GCC Secretary General Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani attending.
The Council extended condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier; Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior; the royal family and the Saudi people as well as Arab and Islamic nations on the death of the late Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Press Agency SPA reported.
The Council wished all success to King Salman and the Crown Prince and Deputy Crown Prince.
It condemned the publication of offensive cartoons of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), stressing that they offended the feelings of all Muslims and were a blatant expression of hate and a form of racial discrimination.
The Council stressed its rejection of false accusations against some GCC countries of supporting terrorism, reaffirming the GCC stance renouncing terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations, whatever its motives and justifications and whatever its source, and drying up the sources of terrorist funding.
The Council stressed the GCC’s commitment to fighting the ideology feeding terrorist groups, stressing Islam was innocent of it. The GCC council also confirmed that tolerance and coexistence among nations and peoples are among the foundations of internal and external policy of the GCC countries, stressing that GCC countries stand firm against terrorist threats facing the region and the world in order to ensure security, stability and peace.
The Council expressed the hope that talks between the P5+1 powers and Iran would lead to a political agreement that ensures the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme and takes into account the GCC’s concerns.
It also expressed the hope that efforts being made at all levels to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis and form a transitional government with full executive powers would ensure the security, stability and unity of Syria and meet the aspirations of the Syrian people.
QNA
