The leaders of the six Arab Gulf states have renounced all forms of violence but refrained from publicly denouncing Palestinian suicide bombings, AFP reported.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s fourth consultative summit in the Saudi city of Jeddah broke up Sunday with leaders renouncing all forms of violence and calling for peace in the Middle East based on the Saudi-proposed Arab plan. But when asked whether that included Palestinian suicide bombers, GCC secretary general Abdul Rahman al-Attiya said: "The legality of resisting occupation is recognized truly by all international laws."
"The GCC states' rejection of all forms of violence is not a rejection by conviction," said one Arab ambassador based in Riyadh. "It comes as a result of international pressure, especially after the September 11 attacks on the United States, and as a condition to reduce tension and get the peace process moving," the ambassador told AFP.
He added that Gulf states could not openly condemn suicide attacks because these were seen by domestic opinion as the only means of resistance available to the Palestinians.
The GCC leaders also pledged their full support for the Saudi peace initiative, insisting it must be at the core of any settlement in the region. (Albawaba.com)
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