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HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani taking part in the GCC foreign ministers meeting in Riyadh yesterday. |
HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani said yesterday that the GCC summit which will be held in Riyadh today will focus on the ambitions that satisfy GCC citizens and the Arab man in the street who looks forward for the GCC as an Arab group that assumes a great significance and supports pan-Arab political, economic and social positions.
Asked whether GCC countries are immune to the changes sweeping some Arab countries, he explained that the relationship between the peoples and leaders of the GCC was different from other countries. There is power sharing, he added.
The leaders of the GCC are keen on satisfying the people’s demands and meeting them gradually according to financial and political needs, and even in decision-making, he said.
Gulf countries are well on this way and will continue on the path of reform which is the responsibility of both the leaders and the peoples. He underlined the importance of recognising the required reforms and meeting them.
On the situation in Syria, he noted that removing the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power is a decision that is left for the Syrian people, and should be respected. What is important is to stop the killing and violence, to withdraw Syrian troops, release prisoners and allow entry for the media.
He also urged the Syrian government to sign on the Arab League protocol on Syria as soon as possible.
HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said that the Arab League was in charge of the Syria issue and that patience was required in order to arrive at Arab unanimity.
HE the Prime Minister left Riyadh after taking part in the GCC foreign ministers meeting which prepared the agenda of the 32nd GCC summit. He was seen off at King Khalid international airport by Qatar’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ali bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud and a number of senior Saudi officials as well as the Qatari embassy staff.
Meanwhile, finance ministers concluded their 92nd extraordinary meeting of the GCC Committee for Financial and Economic Co-operation. During the meeting, they discussed economic issues that will be submitted to the GCC leaders summit, and reviewed a number of economic laws and regulations concerning the GCC common market.
