DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday described Shia-Sunni cleavage as basically being political and regional Arab-Iranian differences, and said the disputes could be solved through dialogue.
He said Qatar is ready to host dialogue between Iran and the GCC states.
“In my opinion, Shia-Sunni disputes are basically political and regional Arab-Iranian differences,” the Emir said in his address to the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
And so the disputes could be solved through dialogue and initially agreeing on the rules governing the relationship between Iran and the Gulf states on the basis of non-interference in internal affairs of Iran and the GCC states.
“It is time to conduct a meaningful dialogue of this kind between countries that will always remain neighbours and are not in need of meditation from anyone,” he added.
The Emir described the agreement between Iran and 5 Plus 1 Group as positive and an important step.
“We look forward with hope that this nuclear agreement contributes to maintaining security and stability in our region.
“We further demand moving forward to disarm the entire region of nuclear arms and weapons of mass destruction,” the Emir added.
In this context and given the strategic importance of the Gulf region, the Emir reiterated that the region must be spared dangers from nuclear weapons while recognising the right of Gulf states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
The Emir also described Iran as an important neighbour.
In his address to the UN General Assembly session, the Emir stressed that cooperation between Tehran and “our countries is in the interest of the entire region”.
The Peninsula
