Manama: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Abdul Lateef Bin Rashid Al Zayani has condemned “the irresponsible” media attack carried out by some Qatari media on the GCC, its General Secretariat and its Secretary-General.
“This is an unjust campaign that has gone beyond all customs, values and media professionalism by using a discourse that is unusual among Gulf nationals and that is full of abuses, insults and lack of respect,” Al Zayani said in a statement issued late on Tuesday.
The GCC chief said he was shocked by the attempt by some Qatari media to hold the Secretary-General responsible for resolving the Gulf crisis, even though officials in the Qatari government and the Qatari media are fully aware that the solution to the crisis and the end of its repercussions are only within the prerogatives of the GCC leaders.
“They are not the responsibility or duties of the Secretary-General who receives and executes the decisions, directives and orders of the Supreme Council and the Ministerial Council only, in compliance with the provisions of the Statute of the Gulf Cooperation Council,” he said.
Al Zayani expressed his indignation at the attempts by some journalists in the Qatari media to link his position on the crisis with his Bahraini citizenship and the well-known position of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
“I am fully committed to shouldering the responsibilities, tasks and duties assigned by the Supreme Council to preserve the coherence of the GCC and its regional and international achievements. At the same time I will remain a righteous son of the Kingdom of Bahrain, loyal to its leaders and attached to my patriotism.”
In his statement, Al Zayani called on the Qatari media “to stop resorting to media practices that harm, divide, do not contribute to bringing brothers closer and hinder the good mediation efforts undertaken by Kuwait’s Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad, a leader known for his wisdom, loyalty and love for the GCC countries and peoples.”
Al Zayani was appointed Secretary General of the GCC in April 2011, replacing Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah, from Qatar, in the post.
