Gulf states roll out the red carpet for Iran leader
ABU DHABI — For the first time, an Iranian leader has addressed the
Gulf Cooperation Council.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was welcomed by representatives of the very nations that regard Iran as their most dangerous enemy.
Ahmadinejad spoke to GCC leaders in the
Qatari capital of Doha, where he called for a regional security
architecture. Appearing at the opening of the GCC summit, Ahmadinejad also
offered Iranian nuclear assistance to the six Gulf Arab states, Middle East Newsline reported.
"We call for peace and security without any foreign influence,"
Ahmadinejad said on Monday. "The Islamic republic of Iran is prepared to
make its expertise and knowledge available to regional states."
It was the first time Iran addressed a summit of the GCC, established in
1980. Diplomatic sources said Qatar strongly supported the invitation to
Ahmadinejad.
Qatari Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani said Iran was prepared to
transport energy through the Gulf. Hamad urged a dialogue between Iran and
GCC members, and said Gulf Arab leaders would examine Ahmadinejad's
proposals.
"While we realize that the mounting crises in the region have their
reasons and backgrounds, and many of them are clear to us, we hope that all
those who are concerned with the regional and international issues
reconsider their positions before it is too late," Hamad said. "Iran's
nuclear dossier should be resolved between the country and International
Atomic Energy Agency and Western countries should not interfere in the
matter."
Ahmadinejad also met United Arab Emirates President Khalifa Bin Zayed Al
Nahyan. The UAE has long disputed three islets held by Iran in the Gulf.
