The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Sunday announced a donation of $1.646 billion for reconstruction of Gaza and decided to establish a maximum of five-year program for the process. A statement issued at the conclusion of the 110th session of the ministerial council here on Sunday, the GCC supported the sovereignty, independence and Arab identity of Bahrain. Earlier, participating in the discussions, Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Bahrain's Foreign Minister, declared his country's spat with Iran as over. The GCC also praised the Bahraini leadership for dealing with the issue with wisdom and sagacity. Certain elements in Iran had ruffled feathers in the Arab World by proclaiming Bahrain as part of Iran, but later Tehran buckled under the pressure and retracted its statements. On Iran's occupation of the United Arab Emirates islands, the council regretted that contacts with Iran to resolve the issue have not yet resulted positively. The council called upon Iran to respond to the UAE initiatives to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or by referring the case to the International Court of Justice. The council asked the international community to pressure Israel to return the Arab rights in Palestine, Golan Heights and South Lebanon. The council also welcomed the agreement reached by the Palestinian factions in Cairo. The council wished Lebanon, Sudan and Somalia peace and security. Meanwhile, GCC Secretary General on Sunday denounced Israeli TV channel for insulting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He added that continuity of this channel in defamation of the Prophet (pbuh) and arousing sentiments of the world are indications of the channel's desire to instigate sedition, hatred and dispute in the world. __
