interference in the affairs of the GCC Internal affairs. It stressed the importance of exerting efforts by all parties in the brotherly Iraq to achieve lasting and comprehensive political reconciliation meeting the aspirations of the Iraqi people, and laying the foundations for a secure and stable country based on the rule of law and the respect for human rights, in order to enable Iraq to regain its supportive role of Arab causes. On the issue of Syrian, the Ministerial Council followed up the developments of the Syrian crisis, and the tragic events suffered by the brotherly Syrian people, and the continuation of the killings and massacres that have not spared the children, the elderly and women across Syria, in which the Hula massacre was a flagrant example of them. It also condemned the failure of Syrian regime's commitment to implement the plan of UN-Arab Joint Envoy Kofi Annan, stressing the importance of the international community's responsibilities to take effective action to stop the killing machine of brutality, destruction and displacement, and to work to protect the Syrian people, and put an end to the Syrian regime's disregard of the innocent people, and not to allow it to exercise the method of procrastination and repudiation of its obligations. On Egypt, the Council praised the first presidential election that took place in Egypt, on 23 and May 24, 2012, stressing the importance of Egypt and its central and strategic role in the Arab world and the region, wishing to Egypt and its brotherly people security, stability, progress and prosperity. Regarding Lebanon, it followed up with deep concern the developments in Tripoli and stressed the importance of maintaining Lebanon's security, stability, sovereignty and unity. The GCC Ministerial Council also called on all active Lebanese parties to place the higher national interests above all other interests, according to Taif and Doha Agreements, and not to be drawn behind the sectarian and religious strife in the service of foreign objectives and interests, threatening the National peace and coexistence among the Lebanese people's components. --More
