GCC meeting concluded

Riyadh, March 01, SPA -- The Foreign Ministers of the Gulf
Cooperation Council countries concluded here today the 110th ordinary
session of their ministerial council.

The Saudi delegation to the meeting was led by Prince Saud Alfaisal,
the Foreign Minister.

At the end of the meeting, a press release was issued lauding the
call by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
during Kuwait Economic Summit for Arab reconciliation.

The council welcomed the GCC countries' donation of the amount of
USD1.646 billion for the reconstruction of Gaza.

The council congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for the success of the surgery Crown Prince
Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and
Aviation and Inspector General, underwent.

The statement dealt with several issues including the GCC
cooperation, political issues topped by the Palestinian cause, the
situation in Iraq, the relations with Iran, the crisis of the Iranian
nuclear file and other important issues.

On Iranian-Bahraini relations, the foreign minister of Bahrain
pointed out the end of the effects of some Iranian statements made
against Bahrain and the GCC expressed support for the sovereignty,
independence and Arab identity of Bahrain.

On Iran's occupation of the United Arab Emirates' islands, the
council reiterated its well known stands on this issue.

On the nuclear file of Iran, the council expressed hope for peaceful
resolution of the crisis.

On Iraq, the council reiterated its firm positions on this matter.

On the Palestinian issue, the council asked the international
community to pressure Israel to return the Arab rights in Palestine,
Golan and South Lebanon. The council also welcomed the agreement
reached by the Palestinian factions in Cairo.

The council dealt with other issues and wished Lebanon, Sudan and
Somalia peace and security.