MOHAMED KHOULAIDI

DOHA THE Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Tuesday strongly denounced Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinijad’s visit to Abu Musa island on April 11 calling it “a provocative act and a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of UAE over its three islands.” In a statement after its 39th extraordinary meeting, the GCC Ministerial Council called the visit “contrary” to the policy of good neighbourly relations pursued by the GCC countries in dealing with Iran and with the effort made by them to resolve the issue of the occupation of three islands in a peaceful way.

The meeting was held in Doha on Tuesday at the request of the UAE. The session was chaired by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the current session of the ministerial council Saud al Faisal and attended, among others, by GCC Secretary-General Dr Abdelatif bin Rashid Ziani.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani led the Qatari delegation at the meeting.

The GCC also demanded Iran “end its occupation of these islands and respond to calls by the UAE to find a peaceful and just solution through negotiations or by resorting to the international court.” The group further pledged their “full support to the UAE in all actions it takes to regain its rights and sovereignty over its islands.” Foreign ministers of the GCC — grouping the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman — met at a special meeting in Doha on Tuesday at the request of the UAE.

The UAE has summoned Iran’s ambassador to Abu Dhabi to denounce Ahmadinejad’s visit to Abu Musa, one of the three disputed islands that include Lesser Tunb and Greater Tunb.

Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahayan warned on Monday that if left unresolved, the issue “could jeopardise international security and peace.” This was followed by a warning from Ahmadinejad who said on Tuesday that Iran will respond with force to any threats to its territorial integrity.

“The armed forces and the army will inflict heavy regret and shame in case of any aggression against Iranian lands and interests,” Ahmadinejad said.