Manama, Dec. 3 (SANA) The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Wednesday reiterated its call for respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, while rejecting foreign interference in its internal affairs. The statement came at the conclusion of the bloc’s 46th summit held in Sakhir Palace in Manama.
In the summit’s final statement, titled the “Sakhir Declaration,” GCC leaders condemned Israel’s recurrent attacks on Syrian territory, describing them as a serious violation of the UN Charter, international law and relevant Security Council resolutions. The Council stressed that Syria’s security and stability constitute a fundamental pillar of regional security.
The leaders reaffirmed that the occupied Syrian Golan is Arab land, denouncing Israeli settlement expansion and recent military incursions in several villages in the area. They urged the UN Security Council and the international community to assume their legal and moral responsibilities to halt Israeli aggression and ensure Israel’s full withdrawal from all occupied Syrian territories.
The statement also condemned all acts of hostility inside Syria, voicing support for measures taken by the Syrian government to strengthen security and stability. It welcomed Syria’s announcement of a roadmap to address the crisis in Sweida Province, praising efforts by Jordan and the United States in this regard.
GCC leaders called on all Syrian parties to prioritize dialogue, reject division, and reinforce national cohesion to advance the process of rebuilding the Syrian state.
The statement highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to ease sanctions on Syria and praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s response to Riyadh’s request, a move the GCC said would bolster public confidence, support economic recovery, and preserve national unity. It also commended the United Arab Emirates for its economic support to Syria.
The GCC renewed its support for UN efforts to assist Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons, emphasizing the importance of ensuring their voluntary and safe return in accordance with international standards. It rejected any attempts to impose demographic changes in the country.
Regional Issues
On Gaza, the summit backed the outcomes of the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit and called for full adherence to the ceasefire agreement in the enclave. It stressed the urgency of facilitating humanitarian aid delivery and reconstruction efforts.
The leaders reaffirmed the necessity of establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the two-state solution.
GCC Affairs and Regional Security
The statement expressed satisfaction with progress made in joint Gulf action, citing integrated defense and security frameworks, balanced diplomacy and sustainable development projects. The leaders emphasized maintaining momentum to achieve further gains for GCC states and their peoples.
The statement underscored respect for the sovereignty of Gulf and regional countries, rejection of interference in their internal affairs, and refusal to use or threaten force. It reaffirmed that the security of GCC states is indivisible, and that any violation of a member state’s sovereignty constitutes a direct threat to collective security.
The leaders reiterated adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, including state sovereignty, non-interference, good-neighborly relations and the peaceful resolution of disputes. The statement called for confronting terrorism, extremism and incitement, while respecting diversity and religious beliefs.
The summit highlighted the importance of cooperation in technology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, along with advancing youth and women’s participation in development. It renewed commitments to environmental protection, climate action, reducing carbon emissions and supporting clean and renewable energy initiatives.
The Council also emphasized strengthening international partnerships in political, security and economic fields, combating extremism and transnational crime, and supporting efforts to make the Middle East free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.
The 46th GCC summit was chaired by Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The GCC was founded in 1981 and comprises six member states: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.
