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Gulf Consensus against Iran’s Interference | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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GCC countries during their meeting in Riyadh


GCC countries during their meeting in Riyadh

GCC countries during their meeting in Riyadh

Cairo- On Saturday Jan. 9, the GCC, at an extraordinary meeting chaired by the Saudi Foreign Minister, Adel Al-Jubeir, in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, condemned the Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Saudi Arabia, saying that the “antagonistic statements and rhetoric by Iran were a direct incitement to attack the Saudi missions.”

The GCC foreign ministers, in a statement released after their meeting, lent their full support to any measure against Iran to halt Tehran’s “terrorist acts” and to ensure that it refrains from “meddling in the affairs of Arab nations.”

Saudi Arabia may take more deterrent measures against Iran to monitor its foreign policy behavior and to contain its growing interference in the affairs of Arab states, Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said during the meeting.

“The Kingdom is looking at additional measures to be taken, if Iran continues with its belligerent policies,” he added. He said Iran has to make a decision whether it stands and behaves like a civilized nation, asserting that it has to either act as a responsible country or “it will be further isolated”.
Al-Jubeir said that the Kingdom would welcome the time and opportunity to see Iran “act like a normal country” in the region, while referring to the war of words stepped up by Tehran that is violating all diplomatic norms.

It is still fighting proxy wars in several Arab countries, while helping terrorists and terrorism besiege the whole Arab world including Yemen.

Saudi Arabia, which received overwhelming support from the GCC foreign ministers, is all set to oust Iran from the Arab League forum on Sunday, as al-Jubeir hoped the Arab League take a stance against Iran’s interference in the affairs of the region and its support for terrorism.

Arab foreign ministers are to hold their emergency meeting today to discuss the repercussions of the Iranian positions, and Arab countries are expected to agree on actions that should be taken to protect the region from Iran’s aggressive practices, its interference in Arab affairs, and its support for terrorism in Syria, Yemen, Bahrain and other areas within the Arab region and beyond.