Arab Summit defends UAE sovereignty

SHARM EL SHEIKH // Arab leaders have reiterated their support for UAE sovereignty over the Arabian Gulf islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa.

In a statement issued on the final day of the Arab Summit, Arab leaders denounced the Iranian government’s occupation over the three islands, which are situated in the Strait of Hormuz, state news agency Wam reported on Sunday.

Leaders denounced the continued occupation of the islands, and repeated violations of a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries regarding Abu Musa Island.

The Iranian government’s building of housing facilities, resettlement of citizens and the carrying out military manoeuvres were all described as violations of the memorandum.

Local officials also criticised illegally built hospitals and religious centres, along with visits carried out by senior Iranian officials and members of the Iranian Shura Council Foreign Policy and National Security Committee.

Arab leaders expressed their support for peaceful measures taken by the UAE to restore sovereignty over the occupied islands, while calling on the Iranian government to enter into negotiations for peaceful solution.