RIYADH – U.S. President Barack Obama following a summit meeting with leaders of GCC in Saudi Arabia on Thursday said “we recognize collectively that we continue to have serious concerns about Iranian behavior.”
President Obama while king Salman of Saudi Arabia was present and listening said:
“I reaffirmed the policy of the United States to use all elements of our power to secure our core interests in the Gulf region, and to deter and confront external aggression against our allies and our partners; and we reached a common vision on how to move forward, together, in key areas.”
He added:”We agreed to continue working closely to de-escalate and resolve regional conflicts. In Syria, the cessation of hostilities is obviously under tremendous strain, including continued violations by the Assad regime. This violence is yet another reminder that there’s only one way to end this civil war, as our GCC partners agree — a transitional governing body, a new constitution with free elections, including a transition away from Assad,”.
President Obama in regard to the security of GCC countries and threats against them from Iran said:
“Given the ongoing threats in the region, the United States will continue to increase our security cooperation with our GCC partners, including helping them improve their own capacity to defend themselves. I thanked our GCC partners for their support of the comprehensive deal that has now cut off every single one of Iran’s pathways to a nuclear weapon. That makes the region safer. We’ll remain vigilant to ensure that Iran fulfills its commitments, just as we will fulfill ours. Even with the nuclear deal, we recognize collectively that we continue to have serious concerns about Iranian behavior. Our nations committed to continuing to interdict illegal Iranian arms shipments in the region, impose costs on Iran for its ballistic missile program, and oppose Iran’s destabilizing actions in the region.”
He emphasized on the need for Iran to abide by international rules and norms which would ” takes concrete, practical steps to build trust and resolve its differences with its neighbors by peaceful means and abides by international rules and norms.”
U.S. President thanked King Salman and GCC leaders and said:” I want to thank His Majesty and all of our GCC partners for this very successful summit. When we look back on the past year, a lot has gotten done. I’m confident that a year from now we will be able to say that because of these actions, all of our nations are more peaceful and more secure and more prosperous. And it underscores the enduring friendship and partnership between the United States and the countries that are represented around this table.”
Source: News Agencies, April 21