JEDDAH — Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) foreign ministers have said they “welcome” the relaunch of direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks but warned that Israeli “acts of aggression” may compromise them. “The ministerial council welcomes... the resumption of direct Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations... in hope that the talks (which were relaunched) in Washington will lead to... the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital,” a statement said.

But after a meeting in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah on Monday night, the six ministers warned that “continuing acts of aggression” by Israel could “undermine efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.” Oman’s delegation to the meeting was led by Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs. The council also agreed on establishing an electronic clearing mechanism for settling customs duties between the GCC states.

Meanwhile, GCC Secretary-General Abdulrahman al Attiyah said implementation of the GCC monetary union is “actively progressing” and that the group is currently working to nominate a chief executive for it. The foreign ministers reaffirmed their support to Bahrain in its fight against terrorism and called on Britain to expel two leaders of Bahrain’s opposition charged with plotting against the kingdom. The GCC urged Britain “to deal seriously with terrorist groups and individuals supporting terror... and not to grant them political asylum, or allow them to exploit the climate of freedom to damage the security and stability of member countries.”

In a statement, the ministers also expressed support for Bahrain’s move to curb “terror,” after it charged 23 opposition activists, including the two London-based leaders, on Saturday with “forming a terror network.” The ministers called on Iraqi leaders to “form a national consensus government... away from any sectarian or ethnic considerations and foreign interference.” — ONA/AFP