Riyadh:The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has praised the diplomatic efforts exerted by Qatar and Egypt to restore calm and reach a ceasefire between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.
The GCC Ministerial Council issued a statement at the end of the 156th session meeting held at the GCC General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh, affirming its firm positions on the centrality of the Palestinian cause, its support for the sovereignty of the Palestinian people in all Palestinian territories occupied since June 1967, the establishment of the independent state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the guarantee of refugees' rights in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and the international legitimacy resolutions.
The Council stressed the need to redouble the international community's efforts to resolve the conflict in a way that restore all the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people.
The statement condemned the repeated incursions of the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli officials and settlers, which constitute a serious violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and its sanctities, a violation of the sanctity of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and a provocation to the feelings of Muslims.
The Council called on the international community to intervene to stop the targeting of the Palestinian presence in the city of Jerusalem, the expulsion of Palestinians from their homes there, the attempts to change its legal character, demographic composition and arrangements for Islamic holy places, and the attempts to impose Israeli sovereignty over them, in clear violation of international law, international resolutions and existing agreements concluded in this regard. The Council also emphasized the need to stop unilateral measures by the Israeli side.
The Council stressed the importance of uniting Arab ranks and providing conditions for achieving stability, prosperity and a promising future for the Arab peoples and future generations. It also praised Saudi Arabia's efforts in bringing views closer, uniting ranks, stopping bloodshed and achieving truce in a number of local and international issues.
The GCC Ministerial Council was briefed on the results of the roundtable organized by the State of Qatar on Islamophobia on May 29 which aimed at studying this phenomenon; stressing that tolerance and coexistence among nations and peoples are among the most important principles and values on which relations between states and societies are based.
The Ministerial Council reviewed updates of the joint Gulf action and the developments of political issues regionally and internationally; affirming the keenness on achieving more coordination, integration and interdependence in all fields in order to meet the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC countries, the completion of the requirements for realizing the customs union, and the application of full equality in treatment of the GCC citizens in areas related to the Gulf Common Market.
The statement welcomed the results of the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, which was held recently in Riyadh, stressing the commitment of the GCC countries to continue their efforts within the Coalition, and to support international and regional efforts against all terrorist organizations. The Council also welcomed the results of the Gulf-EU Conference on Countering Extremist Ideology, which was held at the GCC General Secretariat headquarters recently. The conference brought together the GCC countries, the European Union and many centers specialized in studying this phenomenon and addressing its repercussions.
