GCC condemns Turkey's threats to UAE calling them 'unacceptable'

Riyadh: – Dr Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), warned Turkey that the threat issued by Turkey to United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the Libya issue is not acceptable. At the same time, Dr Nayef also said that no foreign interference would be tolerated in the internal matters of the Arab countries. Two weeks ago, Turkish Foreign Minister had threatened the UAE over military assistance to Libya.

Two days ago, Dr Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, Secretary-General of the GCC, the trade association of Arabic countries, in the Persian Gulf, met Erdogan Kok, Turkish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Dr Nayef criticised the Turkish behaviour during the meeting of the GCC held at the GCC headquarters in Riyadh. Dr Nayef clarified ‘GCC is working towards bringing peace and stability in the Persian Gulf region. At the same time, the GCC is also making efforts to build relations with non-GCC member countries in the Gulf. But while developing relations, the sovereignty of the country is respected, and there is no interference in the internal matters of the country.’

Dr Nayef retorted that Turkey should respect the GCC stand and stop interfering in the internal matters of the Arabic countries. At the same time, Dr Nayef warned that the Turkish threat to UAE, a member of GCC, will not be tolerated. Dr Nayef seems to have indirectly warned Turkey is saying that GCC is based on the principle of joint military cooperation. Only a week ago, the GCC had warned Turkey not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Arabic countries. But this time, the GCC has apparently warned of retaliation.

Two weeks ago, infuriated by the UAE aid to the Libyan faction opposed to Turkey, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar threatened UAE. Akar had threatened ‘UAE will face retaliation from us at the right time and place.’ This is the GCC reaction over the threat. Meanwhile, a Turkish destroyer has entered the naval port at Al-Khums to assist the Sarraj government in Libya. Countries like Germany, France, Greece, Egypt and UAE have already raised objections for the continuing military aid to the Libyan government.