Riyadh, June 22 (BNA): The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states expressed deep regrets about the statement issued by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in connection with the court verdict handed to a Bahraini citizen who broke the law.

GCC Secretary-General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani today summoned Iraqi Embassy Charge d’ Affaires to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Anwar Abdulhamid and handed him a memo in protest of the statement which contained fallacies that contravened all diplomatic norms.

The GCC stance slammed the statement which represented a flagrant and unacceptable interference in Bahrain’s internal affairs, prejudiced the independence of the judiciary and encroached on the principle of national sovereignty, in total breach of the charters of the Arab League and the United Nations as well as the principles of good neighbourliness.

The GCC states rapped the statement which spoke of what it called “repercussions on the stability of Bahrain and the region”, describing the stance as unconstructive and harmful to the relations bonding the GCC and Iraq, as it contrasts with the GCC-led efforts to consolidate regional security and stability.

The GCC states urged the Iraqi Government to take decisive and immediate action to put an end to the activities of terrorist organisations which train in territories on perpetrating terror acts and smuggling weapons and explosives with intent of subverting the security and stability of Bahrain and other GCC countries.

The GCC states called on “Iraqi brethren to put an end immediately and completely to all forms of interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain and other GCC countries, under any pretext, , whether by official or unofficial parties”.

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BNA 1715 GMT 2015/06/22