The UAE reiterated its total rejection of any regional interference in the internal affairs of Arab states as attempts that threaten the security and stability of these states by inciting strife among their people. The UAE also demanded an immediate halt to these interferences in order to preserve the principles of good-neighbourliness respect for the sovereignty independence and specificity of all states.

Dr Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash Minister of State for Foreign Affairs chaired the second meeting of the Arab Quartet Committee Concerning Following-up of the Developments of the Crisis with Iran and ways to address the interference of Iran in the internal affairs of Arab countries at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League on Friday.

In a statement ahead of the145th ordinary session of the Arab League Ministerial Council Gargash demanded a halt to the use of sectarianism as a ploy for intervention in the Arab states' internal affairs through threats fueling sectarian conflicts and creating militias to spread chaos violence and undermine regional security.

He noted that the UAE sought to contribute to appropriate solutions to the crises hitting some counties in the region through constructive partnerships with other Arab countries and international players. "No doubt the UAE's approach is based on a strong belief in joint Arab action and this stands out amid the difficult circumstance we are going through" he added.

The UAE minister called upon Iran to respond positively to the UAE's repeated calls for a peaceful solution to the Iranian occupation of the three Emirati islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Mousa by direct negotiations or by resorting to the international court of justice.

Highlighting the need for better pan-Arab joint action and new approaches Gargash said: "All of us should work together to overcome challenges to peace security and stability and put forth an agenda for a new future based on development prosperity and joint economic action. We should find a way out of our difficult issues to a wider space."

He said: "The Palestinian issue and the Middle East peace process remain prioritised and essential issues on the agenda of all our bilateral regional and international meetings. We believe that Israel's continued occupation of the Palestinian territories and lack of a two-state solution in line with the resolutions of the international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative is an essential cause of instability in the region."

The Arab region he noted will not enjoy peace and stability as long as the Palestinian issue is not solved and as long as the Palestinian people suffer from Israel's practices and violation of international law and norms and its continued settlement policy.

Speaking on Syria Gargash said the crisis and its consequences should be contained and appropriate solutions should be reached to spare the Syrian people more tragedies and suffering and to eliminate terrorist and extremist groups. "We should back the current Geneva talks based on the outcome of Geneva 1 and UN Security Resolution 2254 and the communiques of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in order to restore peace and stability to Syria and help in fulfilling the ambitions of the Syrian people."

On Yemen Gargash highlighted the importance of backing the constitutional legitimacy respecting the country's sovereignty and rejecting foreign interference in its internal affairs.

The UAE delegation includes Mohammed bin Nakhaira Al Dhahiri the UAE Permanent Representative to the Arab League and UAE Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt Dr Jassim Al Khloufi Director of Arab Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hani bin Huwaiden a diplomat at the UAE Embassy in Cairo and a member at the permanent representation to the Arab League.

The committee members include foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia Egypt Bahrain as well as the participation of the Secretary- General of the Arab League Dr. Nabil Elaraby and the Deputy Secretary General Ahmed Ben Helli.

The Arab League said it had received written reports from several Arab states on monitoring the implementation of decisions of the extraordinary session of the Arab League Council at the level of Arab foreign ministers and devoted to the discussion of Iranian interference in the affairs of Arab countries.

What Gargash said:

> On UAE: Our approach is based on a strong belief in joint Arab action and this stands out amid the difficult circumstance

> On Iran: Iran should respond positively to the UAE's repeated calls for a peaceful solution to the occupation of the three Emirati islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Mousa

> On Palestine: The Palestinian issue and the Middle East peace process remain prioritised and essential issues on the agenda of all our bilateral regional and international meetings.

> On Syria: the crisis and its consequences should be contained and appropriate solutions should be reached