ABU DHABI: Gulf Arab governments dismissed as “interference” an Iranian suggestion that unrest in Syria and Bahrain be discussed at nuclear talks between world powers and Iran, accusing Tehran of trying to dodge the main agenda.
The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said the bloc “categorically rejected” Iran’s proposal, saying it was further evidence of Iranian meddling in the region, the Bahraini news agency BNA reported yesterday. “This confirms Iran’s clear interference in the domestic affairs of Arab countries, and its continuous efforts to destabilise the security of some of these Arab countries,” Abdulatif Al Zayani was quoted by BNA as saying. Arab popular uprisings since 2011 have kindled increased strife between Shia and Sunni Muslims.
BNA further quoted Zayani as accusing Iran of trying to manipulate the negotiations “by mixing political cards” and continuing “procrastination and non-seriousness on reaching a final solution to alleviate regional and international fears regarding its controversial nuclear programme”. REUTERS
