GCC chief affirms keenness on supporting Egypt all times

Egypt and GCC states are bound with a strategic relationship of consensus at the political and social and cultural levels, said GCC Secretary General Abdulatif Al-Zayani. In an interview with the weekly "Al-Ahram Al-Arabi," Al-Zayani said Egypt constitutes "foundation of regional security and stability and what happens in Egypt affects the Arab regional security and Egypt's pivotal role in the Middle east." "What concerns us in the council states that Egypt be secure and stable and what has happened is an internal affair and we respect choice of the Egyptian people and have confidence in their ability to pass this phase toward a future where their national aspirations will be attained," he said, adding that the GCC countries would remain supportive of Egypt under all circumstances. On Syria, the GCC chief said conditions in this country have become dangerous with continuing blood-shedding and mounting number of refugees, as well as the regime employment of heavy arms against the people. "We also believe that conditions in Syria negatively affect the security and stability of the region," Al-Zayani added. On GCC measures against Hezbollah, Al-Zayani said its intervention in the fighting on side of the Syrian regime "is a dangerous development that led to more killing and annihilation and relocation of people namely natives of the towns of al-Qusair and Tal-Kalakh, in addition to the brutal siege imposed on the city of Homs." Moreover, Hezbollah's intervention in Syria will lead to dire consequences on Lebanon's stability and national unity, he warned. Turning to the GCC, Al-Zayani said the bloc has made a large number of accomplishments since its founding 32 years ago. At the political level, the council members succeeded in bolstering a regional order "capable of safeguarding the security and stability of the region, offering aid to brothers and friends and contributing to resolving regional issues." Citing more achievements, he mentioned setting up the custom federation, cancelling tariffs, establishing the joint Gulf market, the common monetary union, executing the joint power grid. "These are all strategic ventures that will bolster the integration among the council states and we hope to witness in the near future execution of the joint railway that will make these countries even closer," he added. On the GCC ties with Iran, Al-Zayani said this nation "is a Muslim neighboring country which we respect and view its people highly," noting keenness on seeking to establish cooperation with Iran due to the joint interests and necessity of maintaining regional stability and security. Regretfully, the Gulf-Iranian ties were strained due to Iran's intervention in internal affairs of the GCC countries and Iran's occupation of the three UAE islands, Greater and Lesser Tonbs and Abu Moussa, he said.