The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with the leaders of other GCC states at the GCC summit in Manama, Bahrain, yesterday.
MANAMA: Kuwait yesterday urged the international community to “act immediately” to stop bloodshed in Syria and the continued suffering of its people, and asked Iran to follow the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Emir of Kuwait, H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, cited a recent reported glitch at Bushehr nuclear reactor plant as a source of anxiety over the security of the region.
Addressing the two-day GCC summit that began in Manama yesterday, he said cooperation among the member states was urgently needed to protect the region and help achieve the aspirations of its people.
The Kuwaiti ruler announced a donor conference for civilians caught up in the Syrian conflict to be held at the end of January at the request of the United Nations.
The Heir Apparent, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, took part along with other GCC leaders in the opening session of the 33rd GCC Supreme Council Summit at the Grand Convention Hall at Al Sakhir Palace in Manama, Qatar News Agency reported.
The session was also attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the Heir Apparent.
Bahrain’s ruler, H M King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, thanked his GCC compatriots for supporting his country and stressed that challenges before the bloc required joint efforts and coordinated economic and defence policies.
The GCC had not yet met the aspirations of the member states’ people, he said, stressing the need to redouble efforts to realise the objectives of the bloc, which was set up in 1981.
King Hamad underlined the importance of the decision taken at the last GCC summit, in Riyadh, to move from the phase of cooperation to that of union in order to arrive at a unified entity.
In his address, Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz, delivered an appeal for unity.
“We aspire to a strong union with integrated economies, a joint foreign policy and a common defence system,” he said.
Kuwait’s emir described as a successful step upgrading the status of Palestine at the UN to an observer state. He also referred to Israel’s latest aggression on the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, noting that peace will not be achieved in the area until the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people were achieved.
The GCC Secretary-General, Dr Abdul Latif Rashid Al Zayani, said the council had proved its clout and cohesion, withstanding fast regional and Arab political and economic changes.
Agencies
