RIYADH: The Shoura Council has strongly condemned the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Shoura Council for making false and irresponsible allegations against the Kingdom. In a statement issued during its 17th ordinary session held on Sunday under the chairmanship of Dr. Abdullah Bin Muhammad Bin Ibrahim Aal Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Shoura Council, it denounced these fabrications, saying it contravened Islamic principles, international norms and laws and the principles of good neighborliness. The Shoura Council said the irresponsible statement by the Iranian National Security Committee stokes the fire of abominable sectarianism that every reasonable person should refrain from, in particular those who have the Ummah's interests at heart. The statement added, “At a time when we are witnessing numerous blatant Iranian interferences in the region's affairs, we find the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Shoura Council accusing the Kingdom of interference.” The statement stressed that any infringement of the security and stability of any of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries directly harms the security and stability of all member states, as stipulated in the agreements signed between the countries. At the end of the statement, the Council appreciated all the steps taken by the GCC countries to protect their security and stability. In a statement following the session, Dr. Muhammad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, Secretary General of the Council, said the Shoura Council approved with a majority the draft agreement on cooperation between the Kingdom and Uzbekistan in the field of combating terrorism, organized crime, illicit trade and smuggling of drugs and psychotropics, among other crimes. The Shoura Council also approved the Kingdom joining the Grains Trade Agreement of 1995, effective Sept. 1, 2010; and to strive that dates qualify and is registered as food aid at the World Grains Council. The agreement aims at expanding and ensuring the smooth flow of international grains trade, including removing unjust practices. The Council agreed that the study on the draft regulation for the National Center for Emergencies in the Kingdom is suitable on the basis of Article 23 of the Shoura Council. The Security Affairs Committee of the council will prepare a detailed report on the draft regulation and present it at the next session, he said.
