Kerry reassures GCC over warming US Iran relations

(MENAFN- Arab News) RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman met with US Secretary of State John Kerry as he arrived here on Saturday and held talks with the GCC foreign ministers on conflicts in the region including Iran and Syria.
The talks with King Salman also covered a gamut of key bilateral and regional issues. The king and Kerry expressed their concerns over regional conflicts which are hampering all efforts for peace and security.
The two leaders discussed the forthcoming peace negotiations and coordination with Syrian factions besides Iranian meddling in the affairs of the Arab nations particularly those of the GCC.
They also pledged to continue and intensify support to the moderate Syrian opposition while the political track is being pursued.
The talks were attended by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban minister of state; Adel Al-Toraifi minister of culture and information; Adel Al-Jubeir foreign minister; and Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Homaidan. US Ambassador Joseph W. Westphal was also present.
Speaking at a joint press conference Kerry expressed concern about what he described as Iranian 'interference' in other countries including Yemen. 'The US remains concerned about some of the activities that Iran is engaged in other countries' like Yemen Syria and Lebanon he said.
The top US diplomat however reassured Gulf Arab allies that Washington 'will stand by them against any external threat.'
He also reiterated US support for Saudi-led war in Yemen against terrorists and militants including Houthi rebels. He said that the Saudi decision to launch airstrikes in Yemen aimed at dealing with the Houthis and Al-Qaeda operatives.
Kerry sought agreement from Gulf partners on Syrian opposition groups to be represented at the upcoming peace talks.
Al-Jubeir and Kerry presented a united front on Syria and Iran after the extraordinary meeting of the GCC foreign ministers. They said the US and the GCC agreed on the need to confront the destabilizing Iranian activities in the region and on an unspecified understanding that will allow the UN-led Syria talks to begin next week as planned.
Al-Jubeir said at the press conference: 'We had discussed the Iranian interference in the region's affairs and ways to confront it. We also discussed the latest developments regarding the outcome of the Camp David summit.'
Al-Jubeir confirmed the congruence of viewpoints on the issues discussed at the joint meeting which comes as part of continuing consultation and coordination between the US and GCC states.
On Iranian meddling in Arab affairs Kerry said: 'Let me assure everybody that the US-Gulf relationship is one that is built on mutual interests on mutual defense and I think there is no doubt whatsoever in the minds of the countries that make up the GCC that the US will stand with them against any external threat.'
Kerry also announced that the Syria Support Group of 20 nations and organizations will meet 'very shortly' to help push peace in the war-ravaged country.
Kerry said he had discussed with the GCC foreign ministers the implementation of the nuclear agreement with Iran reassuring anew that the agreement seeks to eliminate nuclear weapons in the region as a strategic priority for all parties.
Kerry said that the US and the GCC had underscored the importance of the partnership the commitment toward making this partnership a success in addition to an agreement to soon meet anew and regularly.
Kerry said that 'the incidents we witnessed over the last weeks confirm that the incidents are accelerating and that we have to get ready at all levels to confront them.'
Referring to the forthcoming peace talks on Syria Kerry said: 'We reached an understanding on how to begin this first round of negotiations on Syria.' Al-Jubeir echoed similar views: 'A way has been paved for a proximity meeting in Geneva.'
Kerry was also due to have talks with Riad Hijab chair of the Syrian opposition's High Negotiations Committee which was formed in Saudi Arabia last month.
'We're quite confident that there is a way to invite the various interested stakeholders in a way that provides for cohesion and an ability to be able to move the process forward' said Kerry adding that 'there are still sharp divisions especially about the future of President Bashar Assad.' He was highly critical of the Assad regime and named Assad as 'the magnet that attracts violent terrorists and jihadis.'
Referring to the peace talks Kerry said that there was agreement that immediately after the first round of talks the International Support Group on Syria would convene.
In Yemen there is the Houthi rebellion said Kerry while noting the formation of a coalition to fight Daesh. He stressed working with partners and the Iraqis to develop a comprehensive military force to help the people restore Al-Anbar province.
GCC Secretary-General Abdulateef Al-Zayani called on the international community to do more to find solutions to the challenges facing the Middle East.
He also denounced the abduction of Al Jazeera news channel team in the Yemeni city of Taiz describing the act as a violation of international laws which guarantee complete freedom to the media to cover events.