2nd LD Writethru: GCC summit kicks off in Kuwait to tackle political, security challenges

KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The 38th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit kicked off on Tuesday in Kuwait, as participants are to discuss political and security challenges, as well as regional and international developments.

The Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said at the opening speech that the GCC will carry on its leading role in the region despite the numerous challenges and upheavals.

The holding of the summit proves to the world that the GCC, as an important Arab regional union, needs to continue to address the needs of the people of the region, said the emir, adding that the future still holds more goals to achieve.

United efforts of the Gulf countries against regional and international challenges will ensure the security and stability of the council, the emir affirmed.

Noting that the international community managed to achieve victories against terrorism in both Iraq and Syria, however, the threat of extremism is still at large, the emir called for more efforts in this regard.

Focusing on Yemen, the emir commended the efforts carried out by the coalition, which supports the legitimacy in Yemen, adding that it was important to continue providing all forms of assistance, especially humanitarian relief, to the Yemenis.

As of the peace process in the Middle East, the emir hoped that such stalemate in the process could be moved forward in order to reach a just and everlasting peace agreement for the sake of stability of the region and the world in accordance to the Arab peace initiative and international resolutions in this regard.

He reiterated the GCC's bid to continue working with the Iraqi government to maintain stability of Iraq.

He called on Iran to abide by rules, which respect the sovereignty and internal affairs of neighboring states, stressing that this is an integral condition, which ensures the stability of the region.

GCC Secretary General Abdullatif Al-Zayani in his speech expressed confidence that the Kuwait-hosted talks would support reaching aspired goals and aspirations of the people in the region.

He underlined the importance of unity and integration of GCC in the face of current and future challenges.

Established in 1981, the GCC comprises six Arab countries, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar, with its headquarters in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Enditem