Jeddah, July 14: Oil-rich Gulf Arab states neighbouring Iraq today hailed Baghdad's new governing council, expressing hope it would lead to peace and security in the war-torn country and the establishment of a legitimate Iraqi government. Saudi Arabia, the largest member of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), hoped the council would succeed in establishing law and order and ensure a dignified life for the Iraqi people.
"It is hoped that this will be a constructive step in meeting the Iraqi people's ambitions of living in security and leading a dignified life," the cabinet said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting, chaired by King Fahd.
The cabinet expressed hope that the creation of the governing council will "lead to the establishment of a legitimate government acceptable to the Iraqi people to guarantee Iraq's independence, sovereignty and unity."
Fellow GCC members Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar also hailed the new Iraqi council.
The international community should assist the council to "perform its task so that the Iraqi people can run their country's affairs, reform institutions, shoulder their responsibilities, and achieve national unity," said a Qatari foreign ministry spokesman in a statement released in Doha.
Bureau Report