Saudi King Says All Gulf States Interested In Preserving Cooperation Council

DOHA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th December, 2018) All the Gulf states are interested in keeping the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) functioning, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said on Sunday amid the ongoing diplomatic crisis between the Arab monarchies and Qatar.

The summit opened earlier in the day in Riyadh. Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani decided to skip the summit, sending the country's state minister for foreign affairs in his stead. The decision followed media reports saying that the Saudi king invited the Qatari emir to the summit despite the fact that three out of six council members had broken off diplomatic relations with Doha.

"Everyone is interested in preserving the organization and strengthening its role in the future. The Cooperation Council was established to strengthen security and stability and serve the people of the Gulf states," the king said at the summit's opening, as broadcast by Al Ekhbariya broadcaster.

Qatar has been under a diplomatic and economic blockade since last June, when the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain, among others, cut off diplomatic relations and communication with Doha, accusing it of supporting terrorism and interfering in their internal affairs. Qatar has refuted the allegations.