Arab Ministerial Quartet Cautions on Iranian Regional Escalation

Nouakchott-The Arab Ministerial Quartet recently concluded its third meeting held in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott on the fringe of preparatory ministerial meetings preceding the 27th Arab Summit.

The quartet discussed developments of the ongoing crisis with Iran and necessary counteraction to face its interference in internal affairs of Arab states, a statement issued by the committee following the meeting said.

Made up of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, as well as the Secretary-General of the Arab League, the quartet was established by virtue of the Arab League’s resolution No. 8879 in January 2016.

Committee members also examined a report prepared by the Arab League which included steps on implementing relevant ministerial decisions and pan-Arab organization’s monitoring of all negative statements made by Iranian officials against Arab States, the statement said. The committee later submitted its observations to the Council of the Arab League.

The statement said the committee noticed Iran’s recent massive and serious escalation of the scope and level of its interference in the internal affairs of Arab states, including heightened provocative statements made by Iranian officials against Arab states.

The Arab committee reiterated its condemnation and denunciation of all Iranian interference and transgressions on the internal affairs of Arab states and demanded Tehran halt all violating actions in addition to seize its registered support for terrorist and subversive groups as well as its provocative and aggressive statements.

The statement also asked that Tehran actually acts on the good intentions it promotes and on its worded desires for enhancing relationships with Arab States. Among the many interference registered, the meeting concluded to denounce the Iranian unwarranted intervention in Bahrain, Yemen, Syrian crisis and the continued Iranian occupation of the U.A.E Islands Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs.

Iran had clearly violated U.A.E sovereignty which proved detrimental to regional security and stability.

The statement also stressed that it is important that relations with Iran should be based on respect of the sovereignty of other states and good neighborliness.

Arab Ministerial Quartet Cautions on Iranian Regional Escalation