King Salman bin Abdulaziz also underlined the need for lending a helping hand to the countries in the Arab region to restore security and stability. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud emphasized that Gulf Arab states must stand united and work together to fortify themselves against foreign threats at a time when the region is passing through tough times.

Inaugurating the 36th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit meeting at al-Diriyah Palace on Wednesday evening, the King underlined the need for lending a helping hand to the countries in the Arab region to restore security and stability as well as to confront potential challenges.

He also called for completing the procedures to build a joint GCC defense and security system to safeguard the interests of the GCC and its people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The King reiterated the keenness of the coalition states to achieve security and stability of Yemen under the leadership of its Yemeni President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi’s government.

“We, the GCC states, will support a peaceful solution so as to enable Yemen overcome the crisis and restore its march toward development,” he said.

Referring to the Syrian crisis, King Salman said that the Kingdom is hosting a meeting of the Syrian opposition as a support to them to find a political solution that guarantees the Syrian territorial unity and integrity in accordance with the decisions of the Geneva 1 conference.

‘Fighting terror’

The King called on all states in the world to shoulder their responsibility “to fight extremism and terrorism and eradicate it whatever may be its sources.”

“The Kingdom exerted great efforts in combating terrorism and would continue its efforts, in cooperation and coordination with the brotherly and friendly countries. Our religion of moderation has rejected terrorism, which has no religion.”

In his speech, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim, chairman of the last session of the GCC summit, underscored the need for exerting great efforts in light of the critical circumstances, rapid changes and serious challenges facing the world in general and the Middle East in particular.

“We have to enhance the joint cooperation in the political, economic and security fields for safeguarding our interests,” he said while calling on the international community to double its efforts in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani said that the two-day summit is being held while the region is witnessing serious challenges that require vigilance and hard work in order to preserve GCC achievements and to seek further integration and solidarity to achieve the hopes and aspirations of the GCC citizens.

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