GCC-US Ministerial Meeting in Manama Emphasizes Regional Security and Disarmament in Lebanon

A joint ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United States took place in Manama, Bahrain, with the attendance of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, GCC foreign ministers leading their respective delegations, and the GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the meeting reviewed the strategic relations between the GCC states and the United States, focusing on ways to develop and enhance these ties to serve mutual interests and strengthen partnership and cooperation frameworks across various fields.

The discussions addressed recent developments in the regional arena and current challenges facing the area, emphasizing the need to intensify joint coordination to contribute to establishing peace and stability in the Arabian Gulf and the broader Middle East.

The meeting also covered ongoing negotiations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, highlighting the importance that any resulting arrangements take into account the interests and security of the GCC countries and contribute to regional security and stability based on respect for sovereignty, good neighborliness, and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.

Ensuring the security of maritime navigation and freedom of trade movement through regional waterways, particularly the Strait of Hormuz—considered a vital artery for the regional and global economy—was also a key topic of discussion.

The participants affirmed the commitment of the GCC states and the United States to continue ongoing consultations and coordination on issues of shared interest, supporting efforts aimed at reaching comprehensive political solutions that lead to sustainable security and shared prosperity for all countries and peoples of the region.

Regarding Lebanon, the attendees underscored the importance of maintaining the negotiation process there and emphasized the necessity of the complete disarmament of non-governmental groups within Lebanon, as stated in the meeting's communiqué.