(WASHINGTON, DC) – During an opening speech at the 36th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh yesterday, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz called on the Gulf states to cooperate against threats and stressed that terrorism, and all its sources, must be eliminated.
King Salman called on the leaders of the GCC to build a joint defense system in order to protect their countries and their people from external threats, including that of terrorism. He reiterated that Islam doesn’t endorse terrorism.
“The Kingdom exerted great efforts in combating terrorism and will continue its efforts in cooperation and coordination with the brotherly and friendly countries,” said King Salman. “Our religion of moderation has rejected terrorism, which has no religion.”
King Salman also reiterated the pressing need to reestablish stability throughout the region, including finding solutions to end the conflicts in Syria and Yemen. He stressed that, in order to protect the safety of the Yemenis, the legitimate government of Yemen must be reinstated. He also noted that Saudi Arabia is hosting a meeting between leaders of the Syrian opposition forces in order to find a political solution to ensure peace and stability in the country.