Saudi Arabia hosts back-to-back summits amidst rising tensions with Iran, Iraq offers mediation
The summits are widely seen as a signal to Iran about the weight and clout that Saudi Arabia enjoys in the region and in the Muslim world.
Photo: Courtesy Al Arabiya
By Aditi Bhaduri
Mecca recently saw three back to back summits – the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which was the first, followed by the Arab summit and concluding with the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) one.
Regional challenges was the flavour of the season in the extraordinary Arab summit convened at the Al Safe Palace on Thursday, 30 May. Convened at the initiative of Saudi king Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at a short notice of less than 36 hours, it was also presided over by him.
The summit opened with a speech delivered by, President Mohamed Beji Caid Essebsi of the Republic of Tunisia, chairman of the 30th ordinary round of the Arab summit which was held in Tunis, reported the Emirates news agency, before handing over the chairmanship to King Salman.
The summit was convened at the initiative of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as tensions mounted with Shia Iran in the region. Saudi and Emirati oil targets have been attacked, and the US has sent a warship to the Persian Gulf while deploying forces in the region.
Upon their arrival at the airport in Saudi Arabia, each leader was shown Yemeni rebel military items, such as a destroyed drone, missiles and mortar shells used in the conflict with the Saudis, reported the Associated Press. The leaders were given a brief explanation of the weapons on display by Col. Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition at war in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia accuses Tehran of helping arm the rebel Houthis and being behind a Houthi drone attack on a key Saudi oil pipeline earlier this month.
President Essebsi outlined in his speech the many critical situations facing the region, including Syria, Iraq, and the Palestinian cause, which he called as one of the ‘first priorities’ that require exerting efforts to spare the region any further instability. The Palestinian issue was also the central theme of the OIC summit, as was radicalisation, extremism and terrorism.
US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Israel and Palestinians was something the region had been looking forward to and it was widely believed would be discussed at the summit. However, with Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of the victorious Likud party in the recently held Israeli elections, unable to cobble together a coalition, Israelis may be heading to the polls again and the peace plan therefore may have to be kept on the backburner for a while.
The escalating tensions have caused alarm in the region, with all sides including Iran and the US, calling for both peace and threatening action at alternate intervals. Qatar was also in attendance though the Emir did not attend it, choosing instead to send Qatari Prime Minister. Syria was not invited as it has not yet been reinstated in the Arab League since its suspension from the organisation in 2011.
The summits are widely seen as a signal to Iran about the weight and clout that Saudi Arabia enjoys in the region and in the Muslim world.
Speaking to reporters following the conclusion of the Arab summit, the Arab League Secretary-General, Ahmad Abul Gheit, said that less than 36 hours after the invitation of the Saudi King to hold the summit, 16 Arab countries affirmed their participation, which reflected the solidarity between the Arab nations.
He added that the presence and the large participation of Arab countries in this summit, “is a very clear and firm message to everyone who is exposed to the security of the Gulf states.”
In his keynote address at the GCC summit, King Salman said that the summit is taking place in the light of the direct challenges that threaten regional and international security and stability.
He noted Iran’s actions threatened international maritime trade and global oil supplies in a “glaring violation of UN treaties”, following attacks this month on four oil tankers in the UAE regional waters and on oil pumping stations in Saudi Arabia.
”In the past, we were able to overcome many challenges that targeted security and stability, and also preserve the gains and achieve economic and social development in our countries. We will work together to confront all challenges and threats with determination and firmness,” he added.
He continued: ”The Iranian regime’s interference in the internal affairs of the region’s countries, its development of nuclear and missile programs, and threat to the freedom of international maritime navigation which jeopardize world oil supplies, are considered a flagrant challenge to the UN charters, principles and laws for the maintenance of international peace and security.” ”The Iranian regime’s support for terrorism over four decades and threat to security and stability in order to expand its influence and hegemony are an act rejected by international norms and conventions,” King Salman added.
”The recent criminal acts targeting one of the world’s most important trade routes through sabotage act against four commercial carriers close to the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates in addition to targeting two oil pumping stations and a number of vital installations in the Kingdom, do require all of us to work seriously to preserve the security and gains of the GCC countries.” ”The Kingdom is keen on the security and stability of the region, sparing it the scourge of war, and achieving peace, stability and prosperity for all peoples of the region, including the Iranian people. The Kingdom’s hand will always be extended to peace and will continue supporting all efforts to maintain security and stability in the region.” In conclusion, it should be noted that the lack of a deterrent and firm stance to confront the subversive activities of the Iranian regime in the region has led the Iranian regime to continue and escalate these activities as ”we see today”. ”We demand the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards the threat posed by Iranian practices to the international peace and security, use all means to stop the Iranian regime from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, sponsoring terrorist activities in the region and the world, and threatening the freedom of maritime navigation in the international straits.”
The Emirates News Agency reported that OIC member states denounced the terrorist attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and called on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards preserving peace and security in the region. This too served to demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s enormous clout in the Muslim world.
The head of the UAE delegate to the OIC summit Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi said ‘Iran needs to review its policies so it can build friendly relations with its neighbours based on non-interference in internal affairs of other countries,”, reported the WAM Emirates News Agency.
He also came down heavily on terrorism and extremist ideology saying ”As Islam advocates moderation, denounces extremism and terrorism, and calls for hard work in serving countries, the UAE believes the spread of fanatic and terrorist ideology in the world at the hands of outlawed groups using religion as a disguise requires strong, efficient national and international legal tools to counter this challenge and dry up its sources.” He told delegates of the OIC member countries that radical thought had inflicted severe damage to the Islamic world, especially its cultural and civilizational legacy, and disrupted much-needed development for its people.
In a press conference Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf answering a question about Qatar’s participation and if it is a beginning to solve the Gulf crisis, Dr. Al-Assaf explained that Qatar had participated in previous summits. He affirmed that Arab quartet’s position is to find a solution to the causes of the crisis between these countries and Qatar, and there will be a solution “if Qatar returns to the right path”.
The Saudi Press Agency, SPA, reported that the minister stressed that the concern from Iran is not only about its support for the Houthi militia and other terrorist groups, including the terrorist Hezbollah in Lebanon, but also their interference in the internal affairs of other countries such as Bahrain.
Meanwhile the Iranian Mehr News Agency reported that on Saturday, the Iraqi Ambassador to Tehran Saad Abdul Wahab Jawad Qandil said that Iranain Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had offered a non-aggression pact to the Persian Gulf countries during his visit to Iraq, adding that the Iraqi officials had welcomed Zarif’s offer and had declared that they would convey the message to the Persian Gulf countries during his visit to IRaq, adding that the Iraqi officials had welcomed Zarif’s offer and had declared that they would convey the message to the Persian Gulf countries with which Iran does not have diplomatic relations. In 2016 Saudi Arabia and Bahrain broke off diplomatic relations with Iran over an attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran, while the UAE downgraded diplomatic relations with Iran.
The news agency further reported that Iraqi President Barham Salih was expected to have conveyed Iran’s offer during the Arab summit which he attended.
