RIYADH, 29 May 2005 — GCC leaders yesterday backed efforts by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to revive peace negotiations but insisted that Israel must pull out from all occupied Arab territories to achieve a just Middle East peace settlement.

The leaders, who met in Riyadh for a consultative half-yearly summit, also emphasized their joint resolve to combat terrorism. They called upon the international community to cooperate effectively to eradicate “this scourge.”

The leaders of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council were in Riyadh for a one-day consultative meeting. They discussed major regional and international issues as well as ways of strengthening political, economic and security cooperation among the member countries.

Crown Prince Abdullah, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa, King Hamad of Bahrain, Sayyed Fahd ibn Mahmoud Al-Saeed, deputy premier of Oman, Emir Sheikh Hamad of Qatar and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed attended the talks. Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, was also present at the summit.

In their joint communiqué, the GCC leaders wished Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd good health. The king was admitted to King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh on Friday for medical examinations.

Speaking to reporters after the summit, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said the summit had focused on strengthening inter-GCC relations.

“Certain specified course of action has been taken in this respect... the result of which will appear in the annual summit,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the prince as saying.

Prince Saud emphasized the need to boost the “internal strength” of the GCC to confront international changes. Answering a question, he said Crown Prince Abdullah had not presented any new proposals at the summit.

He said the meeting had not discussed the issue of bilateral agreements signed by member states with other countries. However, an agreement was reached on the issue, he said.

GCC Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Al-Attiyah said the summit leaders pledged their countries’ support for Iraq to protect its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, without interfering in its internal affairs.

“Regarding modernization, the leaders stressed their commitment to the Manama Declaration, which has stated that reforms must be based on Arab and Islamic cultural heritage, the national entity and the history of GCC states and people,” Prince Saud said.

The leaders called upon the Lebanese people to unify their ranks. They also reasserted UAE’s rights on the three islands — Abu Moussa, and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs — occupied by Iran.

They urged Tehran to settle the dispute with Abu Dhabi through direct talks or transfer the issue to the International Court of Justice.