Sayyid Fahd leads Oman delegation to Doha Gulf Summit
On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers headed the delegation of the Sultanate of Oman to the 44th summit of leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which began its work today in Doha, Qatar.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkey attended the summit as guest of honour.
In his opening speech, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar and President of the 44th session of the GCC's Supreme Council, expressed his thanks to His Majesty Sultan Haitham for the efforts he made during his presidency of the 43rd session of the Supreme Council to strengthen the unity of the Cooperation Council.
His Highness said that the rapidly changing international and regional situation made consultation and coordination essential, especially in light of the unprecedented ongoing humanitarian tragedy in the Gaza Strip.
He expressed confidence that the GCC states could cooperate and reach understandings to resolve regional issues.
Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwii, the GCC Secretary General, said that the Gulf's stance today on the Palestinian issue is a continuation of its previous positions. He emphasised the seriousness of the ongoing crimes of the Israeli occupation forces and the deprivation of the Palestinian people of their rights.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkey told the summit that the goal is to achieve an independent and sovereign State of Palestine within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“The loss of the lives of 17 thousand innocent Palestinians, most of them children and women, is a crime against humanity, a war crime. Israel mustn’t get away with the crimes it has committed,” he said. (For a full account of President Erodgan's remarks click here.
The opening of the 44th session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States was then adjourned and a closed session was held.
The official delegation of the Sultanate of Oman included: Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi; Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Said Al Saidi, Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs; Qais bin Mohammed bin Moosa Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion; and Abdullah bin Khalfan Al Balushi, Head of the Private Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers.
Commenting on the GCC Summit, Oman's Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said it was a truly historic event.
“GCC solidarity is strong and determined,” he said, adding that the GCC leaders welcomed the participation of President Erdogan of Turkey.
“We all in our millions stand together for Palestine. Throughout the world calls for justice grow stronger day by day,” he said.
This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.