LOC18:32
15:32 GMT
ABU DHABI, Dec 6 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, at the opening of the 31st summit of the GCC, condemned the terrorist acts in Saudi Arabia and voiced solidarity with Riyadh in the fight against all types of terrorism.
Sheikh Sabah, the former President of the GCC's previous session, said the GCC countries rejected all forms of terrorism and were thus condemning all terrorist actions plotted and carried out in Saudi Arabia.
He expressed GCC's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in the fight against terrorism.
Sheikh Sabah regretted the stalled peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis due to the Jewish state's stubbornness and continuing with the building of settlements on occupied Palestinian territories.
He called on the parties concerned, specially the US as a major sponsor of the peace process, the Middle East Quartet and the international community to force Israel halt the settlement activities, and implement the UN resolutions to achieve just and lasting peace.
This peace, added the Kuwaiti leader, would be only achieved via the establishment of the independent and viable Palestinian state.
Sheikh Sabah said the developments in Lebanon required collaboration of efforts to confront domestic challenges.
He called on Iran to take serious steps to ending the occupation of the three United Arab Emirates (UAE) islands -- Greater and Lesser Tonbs and Abu Moussa -- either by direct negotiations to seeking the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Sheikh Sabah called for addressing the Iranian nuclear file via peaceful and diplomatic means.
The Kuwaiti Amir, meanwhile, congratulated Saudi Arabia for the successful operation of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, praising Allah to bestow him with lasting health to serving his country and supporting the development of the GCC.
He congratulated the UAE and Bahrain for their 39th National Days.
He congratulated Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed on the occasion of Oman's National Day.
Sheikh Sabah also congratulated Qatari Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani for winning the bid to hosting the World Cup 2022, "which is a sport achievement not only for Qatar but the entire Gulf countries and Arab countries." Sheikh Sabah, who hoped the new Iraqi government will meet ambitions of the Iraqi people, said the 31st summit was an "added pillar" for the GCC march, which has been backed by the GCC leaders during the past three decades thus enabling the GCC to occupy a leading role at the regional and international levels.
The Kuwaiti Amir appreciated GCC Secretary General Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah for his services. Al-Attiyah will be succeeded in Abdullatif Rashed Al-Zayyani of Bahrain next April. (pickup previous) kt KUNA 061832 Dec 10NNNN