The international community should step in to rein Iran’s hostile policies and interference in other countries’ affairs, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have said.
“The Iranian regime’s support for the terrorist Houthi militias and others in the region, its aggressive practices and its blatant interference in the affairs of other countries require a united international position,” King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud said at the first Arab-European Union summit in Sharm EL Sheikh.
“Iran must abide by the rules of good-neighbourliness and international law and put an end to its nuclear and ballistic programme.”
King Salman who led his country’s delegation to the summit said that Saudi Arabia was keen on a political settlement of the Yemeni crisis, based on the Arab Initiative, the outcome of the Yemeni national dialogue and Security Council Resolution 2216.
“Saudi Arabia also stresses the importance of concerted international efforts to support Yemeni legitimacy and force the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia to comply with the will of the international community.”
The Kingdom has exerted great efforts to ensure the success of Sweden’s consultations, he said, referring to the agreement in December between Houthis and Yemeni officials on a ceasefire in the strategically important port city of Hodeidah, through which most of the country’s imports and aid flow.
“Saudi Arabia calls for follow-up on the implementation of the agreements reached at those consultations with precision and for holding the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia accountable for the current situation in Yemen. We also call for the condemnation of the Houthis for the launch of more than 200 Iranian-made ballistic missiles targeting cities in Saudi Arabia in addition to their activities to undermine the security and safety of maritime navigation in Bab Al Mandab and the Red Sea, which constitutes a direct threat to the security of all of us.”
King Hamad also lambasted Iran’s “destablising role” in the region and called for an end to its dangerous practices.
“Iran continues to disrupt the stability of the Arab countries by interfering in their internal affairs. It is the main source of support for the terrorist organisations in the region. With its programme of ballistic missiles, it threatens regional and international security and peace. We must all put an end to these dangerous practices and confront this internationally illegal programme,” he said.
“We also emphasise the need to keep the region free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in order to avoid any arms race with terrible repercussions that will affect the development, prosperity and stability we seek to achieve.”
Source » gulfnews