(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) >President Barack Obama said the U.S. and Gulf state leaders remain united in efforts to destroy the Islamic State group and stabilize the conflict-ridden Middle East region.
In Riyadh Obama reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to "deter and confront aggressions" against Gulf Cooperation Council partners and allies in the region. "We remain united in our efforts to destroy ISIL" he said referring to an acronym for the militant group. Obama and the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) met in Riyadh Thursday focusing on the political chaos and fighting in Syria Yemen Iraq and Libya. They also discussed ways to escalate the fight against the Islamic State group and al-Qaida and deal with Iran’s destabilizing actions in the region. Tensions between Washington and its Arab allies have risen over differing approaches in the region. While both seek a cessation to sectarian violence the U.S. is pressing for a greater focus on political solutions and democratic reforms especially in states such as Yemen and Syria where cease-fires have been put in place though they remain very fragile. However some Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia have expressed doubts about the administration’s vision for security in the region especially with regard to what they perceive as growing threats from Iran. Administration officials in Riyadh downplayed disagreements. Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said all sides want to see Islamic State and al-Qaida defeated stability in Yemen restored a political transition in Syria and unity and stability in Iraq. “On the core issues there's agreement about where we want to go. There have been occasional tactical differences about what we are emphasizing" Rhodes said. “But I think what this summit allows us to do is make sure that we are working to align our approaches and strategies." Rhodes said Obama and King Salman met Wednesday for two hours and had a "very open and honest discussion" that included issues that were a source of tension without specifying them. "I think they both agreed that it was good to essentially have this opportunity to clear the air" he said. Besides Saudi Arabia the GCC alliance includes Kuwait the United Arab Emirates Qatar Bahrain and Oman.
After the session on regional violence the group worked on ways to bolster the fight against the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. The U.S. and many Western countries view the terror groups as the top global security threat and are pushing for greater cooperation from Arab countries in the effort to combat them. The final session includes talks on Iran and its destabilizing actions in the region. Tehran is backing Houthi rebels in Yemen where Saudi Arabia has mounted a military campaign against them. Obama will use the summit to reassure Gulf partners about the U.S. commitment to Gulf security and take a tougher approach on Iran said analyst Hussein Ibish senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. “Because Iran has not taken the opportunity to amend its ways and I think particularly regarding missile testing there’s an opportunity for a new level of tough language in joint communiqués” Ibish said. Howeverin an op-edThursday inThe Washington Post Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused Tehran's "Western-allied neighbors" of the same tactics of destabilization through a "rapid build-up of their already excessive military hardware." "They have repeatedly resorted publicly to raising the specter of military – even nuclear – attack on my country in blatant disregard for international law" Zarif wrote. "I urge my counterparts around the world to reflect on what has been achieved through diplomacy rather than threats sanctions and demonization. ... My government remains committed to constructive engagement and my initiative for a regional dialogue forum" he wrote. Summit While the U.S. is expected to announce additional military assistance for its Gulf partners analysts do not anticipate much in terms of agreement on how to confront key challenges in the region. “One of the problems you really have is here the fact that the U.S. perceptions and priorities which are perfectly natural given our national interests simply don’t always track with the national interests and priorities of countries in the region” said Anthony Cordesman with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. But such summits play an important role he added. “You sort of publicly reassure both sides. But that public reassurance isn’t going to deal with the delicate and very uncertain problems that the countries involved face” Cordesman said. Following a two-hour closed meeting Wednesday Obama and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman agreed on the importance of "an inclusive approach to de-escalating regional conflicts.” In a statement after the meeting at Erga Palace the White House said the two leaders discussed the "challenges posed by Iran’s provocative activities in the [Mideast] region." The statement said Obama welcomed the recent cessation of hostilities in Yemen "and the king’s commitment to providing humanitarian assistance across all of Yemen." Accelerating campaign against IS In addition "the president underscored the importance of accelerating the campaign against [Islamic State] and welcomed Saudi Arabia’s important role in the Coalition" the statement said. Obama also met Wednesday with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces. After that meeting the White House said both agreed the summit is "an important opportunity for the United States and its Gulf partners to strengthen cooperation against ISIL and also to address regional conflicts." Following Thursday's summit Obama is expected to deliver a statement before departing for London where he will address a range of issues with British Prime Minister David Cameron including countering terrorism the refugee crisis in Europe and the global economy.
By Mary Alice Salinas Cecily Hilleary contributed to this report.