Conflict turns Syria to haven for rebels

First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said the repercussions of the Syrian crisis have turned the Arab country into a major haven for terrorist groups that threaten world security.
"What we have repeatedly warned against, became a reality that threatens the security not only of the region but also of the whole world," Sheikh Sabah Khaled said in his speech at the Fourth GCC-UK Strategic Dialogue meeting, which kicked off here Tuesday.
"The repercussions of the Syrian crisis have turned Syrian territories into a haven for terrorist groups, a target for their attacks, and a springboard for implementing their criminal schemes," he said.
The Kuwait top diplomat added that this situation "requires serious work, non-stop coordination to enhance our alliance to counter these extremist and terrorist groups through a comprehensive strategy that addresses, among other things, the destructive ideologies of these groups." He reiterated the Gulf countries' rejection of all forms of terrorism and their support to all international efforts to eradicate their threat.
The Minister stressed the need for an international action to stop the bloodshed in Syria and to put an end to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the conflict-stricken Arab country.
Sheikh Sabah Khaled underlined the importance of the GCC-UK strategic dialogue in bolstering relations and cooperation between both sides to address the challenges facing them and the whole world.
He lauded the UK stances of supporting Arab causes and UK's commitment toward the security of Arab Gulf region.
On the West-Iran's talks over Tehran's nuclear program, the Foreign Minister expressed GCC states' concern over the problems facing the negotiations over the issue. He urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to quickly and positively respond to the international community's demands and to take into account the regional and international concerns, including environmental ones, in light of its plans to build a number of new nuclear reactors in the Gulf region.
On the developments in Yemen, Sheikh Sabah Khaled urged all concerned parties to abide by the provisions of the national peace and partnership agreement.
He also condemned the threats made by "some parties which obstruct peace and renege on signed agreements", expressing hopes that "the UN Security Council would take action to deter these parties which seek to complicate the situation and work outside the ruling legitimacy." On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Minister called for international efforts to revive the peace process to reach a lasting peace agreement based on the UN resolutions that calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders.
He called on the international community to shoulder its responsibility towards the protection of the Palestinian people and properties against the repeated Israeli aggressions.
Sheikh Sabah Khaled extolled the UK condemnation of Israeli government plans to build new settlements on the occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank.
On Iraq, the Minister underscored the importance of doing all in power to maintain Iraq's security, stability, territorial integrity and national unity in a way that reflects fair representation of each of the components of the Iraqi society. He also expressed support to the new Iraqi government, wishing it success in its mission.
The GCC-UK Strategic Dialogue meeting, is co-chaired by Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled and UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.
Sheikh Sabah Khaled chaired the GCC delegations and Hammond chaired his country's delegation.
The meeting, attended by GCC Foreign Ministers and UK Foreign Secretary, discusses a plethora of issues of common concern.
Source: KUNA