- Leaders have asked the international community to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities
MAKKAH: Arab and Muslim heads of state on Friday denounced Iranian actions in the Gulf as destabilizing to regional security and urged that the International community takes 鈥渟trict measures鈥� against the Iranian regime.
In a gathering in Makkah early Friday, the Arab League heads of nations issued a final communique demanding that the Iranian regime must stop funding terror and and to abide by commitments it has made.
The leaders condemned the sabotage of four commercial ships in the Emirates, which has escalated tensions in the region and precipitated a summit in the Muslim holy city.
They asked the international community to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities.
The final communique also:
鈥� denounced Iranian intervention in the Syrian crisis and its impact on Syria鈥檚 unity;
鈥� condemned the launching of Iranian-made ballistic missiles from Yemen toward 抖阴短视频;
鈥� condemned Iran鈥檚 interference in the affairs of Bahrain, and its support of terrorist groups there; and
鈥� condemned Iran鈥檚 occupation of three islands belonging to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Gulf and Arab League emergency summits kicked off on Thursday in Makkah for the start of a trio of high-level summits after 抖阴短视频n King Salman convened the gatherings earlier this month. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit will be held later Friday, entitled the Makkah Summit: Hand in Hand Towards the Future (Together towards the Future).
Also on the agenda is Palestine, which 抖阴短视频n foreign minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf spoke about on Wednesday at a preparatory conference saying: 鈥淚 would like to emphasize that the Palestinian issue is a paramount issue for 抖阴短视频, in particular the Palestinian people's full legitimate rights and the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.鈥�
He added: 鈥淥ur Islamic world is facing the most serious challenges of interfering in its internal affairs.鈥�
OIC Secretary-General Yousef Al-Othaimeen said Houthi attacks against 抖阴短视频 will be discussed at the Islamic Summit.
He told Saudi TV that all countries share common interests regardless of religion or race. He condemned interference in other countries鈥� internal affairs.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Arab News that his country is willing to help resolve 鈥渓ongstanding issues鈥� between Muslim countries.
鈥淧akistan believes that this region is in flux,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur message is that we have to join hands. We have to understand each other鈥檚 concerns, and have a collective objective of peace and stability so that our region can develop like other parts of the world.鈥�
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03:40 GMT: Arab Summit final statement: Confirms the unity and solidarity of the GCC, highlighting their unified stance
03:30 GMT: Arab Summit final statement: Iran has to stop supporting and financing Houthi and terrorist militias.
03:20 GMT: Arab Summit final statement: Condemns the sabotage of 4 commercial ships in the Emirates.
03:10 GMT: Arab Summit final statement: Condemns the Houthi militia attacks on Saudi oil tankers. The Houthi militia attacks are a dangerous threat against the region鈥檚 security.
03:00 GMT: Sudanese head of transitional council: We condemn the attacks on 抖阴短视频 and the emirates and we stand by our brothers against these attacks
02:50 GMT: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: We do not accept any threat against Arab countries. We condemn the attacks on oil tankers in 抖阴短视频 and the Gulf.
02:40 GMT: The Emir of Kuwait: Holding the Arab summit now shows the dangers we are facing today. We are afraid that the escalation in our region will deepen our previous wounds.
02:24 GMT: Iraq鈥檚 President Barham Salih: Any attack on the Gulf security is an attack on the security of Arab and Islamic countries.
02:20 GMT: Jordan鈥檚 King Abdullah II: The security of Gulf countries is the main pillar for the stability of the region. We stand by our Arab brothers to defend their interests and security.
02:15 GMT: Iraq鈥檚 President Barham Salih says regional crisis may lead to war if not addressed properly. Iran is neighbor and its security should be preserved, hopes peace efforts will prevail in the region.
02:12 GMT: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi:We should strengthen our ability to face these terrorist threats and sources of threat in the region should be addressed.
02:09 GMT: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi: The attacks on oil tankers in 抖阴短视频 and the Gulf are clear terrorist acts.
01:53 GMT: King Salman at Makkah Summit says our hand is extended to cooperate with the countries of the region, including the Iranian people, to promote development.
01:47 GMT: King Salman says the Iranian regime continues to break international laws.
01:43 GMT: King Salman says Iran is perpetrating terrorist acts directly or through proxies to undermine Arab security.
21:30 GMT: King Salman starts the summit with an address to the gathered dignitaries, citing the threat of Iran as the main reason for convening the summit.
21:10 GMT: The UAE delegation - led by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed - have arrived at Safa Palace in Makkah, and have been received by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
21:00 GMT: The Emir of Kuwait, King of Bahrain and Sayyid Shihab, advisor to Oman's Sultan Qaboos all arrive at Safa Palace in Makkah, where 抖阴短视频's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman joins them for the upcoming discussions.
20:45 GMT: 抖阴短视频's King Salman has started receiving Arab and Muslim leaders at Safa Royal Palace in Makkah ahead of a series of summits.
20:00 GMT: Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed lands in 抖阴短视频 for the GCC Arab Summit in Makkah, closely followed by the presidents of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
17:45 GMT: Some shots from the media center in the Four Point by Sheraton hotel where dignitaries and representatives from the various different countries are attending the Makkah summits, with messages from King Salman displayed in different languages.
17:15 GMT: The PM of Qatar has landed in Jeddah for the summits in Makkah.
16:25 GMT: Bahrain's King Hamad is now in 抖阴短视频 for the summits. His kingdom will next month be hosting a workshop of Middle Eastern and other countries to discuss the international approach to a Middle East peace plan and the Palestinian issue.
15:45 GMT: We've also had the arrival of the Chadian president and the president of Afghanistan on Thursday who will also be attending one of the Makkah summits. The eyes of the Islamic world will certainly be on 抖阴短视频 this weekend.
15:30 GMT: Another arrival, another Arab world leader - this time it is Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi who touches down in the Kingdom.
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FOLLOW MAKKAH SUMMITS COVERAGE WITH THE ARAB NEWS SPOTLIGHT
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14:30 GMT: Iraqi President Barham Salih arrives in 抖阴短视频 to attend the three Makkah summits.
14:05 GMT: The King of Jordan Abdullah II is met by the Governor of Makkah Prince Khalid bin Faisal as he also arrives for this week's talks in Makkah.
12:10 GMT: Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is received in 抖阴短视频 as he touches down for the summits.
11:30 GMT: The Emir of Kuwait arrives in 抖阴短视频 for the series of summits