Abu Dhabi, Asharq Al-Awsat – The 31st Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit was inaugurated yesterday in Abu Dhabi, with leaders calling on dialogue to take place with Iran to discuss Tehran’s nuclear file, as well as calls for the international community to put pressure on Israel to stop settlement building. The Gulf leaders also discussed strengthening security cooperation between GCC states.
In a cable to the leaders of the other GCC countries, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz expressed his regret that he would not be able to attend the summit, calling on the GCC leaders attending the summit to implement goals and objectives in the general interest.
The Saudi Press Agency quoted Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz as saying that “although we are all looking forward to achieving the objectives and goals of our people, a medial indisposition has not allowed me to attend this meeting, however I am with you in spirit, sharing the hopes and goals of our historical responsibility with you.”
The Saudi delegation is being led by Second Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz.