HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Underlines Importance of GCC Summit

Riyadh, December 18 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani said on Sunday that the GCC summit which will be held in Riyadh on Monday will focus on the ambitions that satisfy GCC citizens and the Arab man in the street who looks forward for the GCC as an Arab group that assumes a great significance and supports pan-Arab political, economic and social positions. Asked whether GCC countries are immune to the changes sweeping some Arab countries, he explained that the relationship between the peoples and leaders of the GCC is different from other countries. There is power sharing, he added. The leaders of the GCC are keen on satisfying the people's demand's and meeting them gradually according to financial and political needs, and even in decision-making, he said. Gulf countries are well on this way and will continue on the path of reform which is the responsibility of both the leaders and the peoples. He underlined the importance of recognizing the required reforms and meeting them. On the situation in Syria, he noted that removing the Syrian President Bashar Al Assad from power is a decision that is left for the Syrian people, and should be respected. What is important is to stop the killing and violence, to withdraw Syrian troops, release prisoners and allow entry for the media. He also urged the Syrian government to sign on the Arab League protocol on Syria as soon as possible. HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim said that the Arab League is in charge of the Syria issue and that patience was required in order to arrive at Arab unanimity. HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim left Riyadh after taking part in the GCC foreign ministers meeting which prepared the agenda of the 32nd GCC summit. He was seen off at King Khalid international airport in Riyadh by Qatar's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ali Bin Abdullah al Mahmoud and a number of senior Saudi officials as well as the Qatari embassy staff. (QNA)