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TEHRAN (AFP) - The ministerial meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) beginning Friday is a key opportunity to show the Islamic world's support for the Palestinian cause. "Considering the urgent need for Muslim unity regarding the issue of holy Baitul Quadus [Jerusalem], the upcoming GCC meeting can lend more substance to the Islamic world's solidarity for supporting the Palestinian nation," an Iranian Newspaper reported. The paper, which is widely read by diplomats here, said the six-member group should "by all means" work toward achieving "a practical solution to this thorny issue." It also said the GCC's last major ministerial statement on Iran, which retreated from previous harsh criticisms of the Islamic republic, "raised the hope that council members have finally recognized Iran's goodwill and good intentions in the region." The GCC groups Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Foreign ministers of the group will gather in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah for two days of talks expected to put the Middle East peace process at the top of the agenda. The fate of the holy city of Jerusalem is at the center of the latest impasse in the peace process, as well as Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's on-again, off-again plans to declare an independent state next month. The ministers are also set to coordinate the positions of their countries on the ministerial meeting of the Arab League, which starts September 3 in Cairo; a GCC official said this week in Saudi Arabia. |
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