Leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, winding up a meeting in Kuwait, have issued a final statement calling on Iraq to implement all UN Security Council resolutions imposed since its invasion of Kuwait, in particular those dealing with the removal of weapons of mass destruction.

The statement, read out by GCC secretary-general Jamil al-Hujaylan at the summit's closing session and broadcast by Kuwaiti TV, also called for improved ties with Iran, and boosting the region's collective military capability.

Concern over "dangerous escalation" between Iraq and UN

"The council stressed the need for the Iraqi government to carry out all the Security Council resolutions, without selection, particularly those concerning the removal of weapons of mass destruction which are still in the hands of Iraq, and the release of prisoners," the statement said.

It urged Iraq to "take the necessary steps to prove its peaceful intentions towards the State of Kuwait and the states of the region, by words and deeds, in order to spare the region the horrors of a repetition of that disaster, and bring about security and stability for all the countries of the region."

The GCC "expressed its concern about the dangerous escalation caused by the tense situation between Iraq and the UN as a result of the persistence of the Iraqi government in hiding dangerous and destructive biological and chemical weapons that threaten the life of the fraternal Iraqi people and that of the peoples of the region" .

It also "lauded the cohesiveness of the international position, represented by the Security Council, on the recent escalation, and reiterated its support for the UN special commission in charge of removing the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, and its chairman, in carrying out their task".

"The council urged the Iraqi government to cooperate seriously with the commission, without any conditions," the statement said.

Leaders hope for better ties with Iran, slam Israel

The Gulf leaders expressed hope for an improvement in relations with Iran, which they said would boost security and stability in the region. They also accused Israel of derailing the Middle East peace process.

The statement spoke of "the positive signs and statements coming from Iranian officials on the Iranian government's intention to open a new page in its relations with the GCC member states" .

It said the GCC leaders "examined the latest development in its relations with Iran and expressed hope that a positive and practical development will take place in the two sides' relations with a view to creating mutual trust and establishing relations based upon firm foundations, in a way that would bring about security and stability to the region."

The meeting also discussed the "serious derailment of the Middle East peace process" brought about by "the Israeli government's reluctance to meet its obligation towards the Palestinian side" , including the expansion of settlements, the confiscation of land and the economic blockade against the Palestinians.

"The Higher Council categorically rejects the Israeli government's measures and policies and calls upon it to comply with all its obligations with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)," the statement said.

It also demanded Israel's full withdrawal from the Golan Heights and southern Lebanon.

Support for UAE in island dispute

The Gulf leaders reiterated their support for the United Arab Emirates in its dispute with Iran over three contested islands.

"The Higher Council reiterated...its commitment to the UAE's sovereignty over the three islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, and called anew upon the Iranian government to end its occupation of these three islands," the closing statement said.

It called on Iran to "put an end to the use of force to impose de facto policies, stop the building of Iranian installations on the islands...dismantle all installations built unilaterally, and pursue a peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with international law by referring it to the International Court of Justice".

The GCC welcomed the possibility of a meeting between leaders of the two countries to discuss the issue.

Agreement on boosting collective military capability

The summit agreed to improve the collective military capability of GCC members.

The final statement said the leaders had agreed to decisions reached by a meeting of GCC defence ministers in the Qatari capital Doha, "particularly those related to taking practical steps to link the GCC member countries with a secure communications network for military purposes - radar coverage, early warning systems and military exercises" .

The council "stressed the importance of carrying on with the implementation of all aspects of military cooperation and increasing the competence of the collective military capability of the GCC countries" , the statement said.

BBC Monitoring (http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk), based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.
 

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