Manama: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said that the consultative summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders was “fruitful and successful” and that it was characterised by “mutual understanding, cordiality and harmony.”

The GCC leaders reviewed the situations in Yemen and Iraq and wished success to the Yemen talks in Kuwait, Adel Al Jubeir said at a press conference held jointly with the GCC Secretary General Abdul Lateef Al Zayani in the Red Sea city of Jeddah where the annual consultative council was held on Tuesday.

“Everybody is seeking to reach a peaceful settlement in Yemen, sooner than later,” he said.

The statement came a day after Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Yemen. It was the second missile launch from Yemen since UN-brokered peace talks began in Kuwait on April 21 between the Al Houthi rebels and the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. The coalition warned that the attack could have it reconsider the truce.

Al Jubeir also said that the international community should impose its will on the regime of Bashar Al Assad, adding that Saudi Arabia was calling for sending ground troops to Syria, Saudi daily Okaz reported on its website.

The Saudi minister also blasted Iran’s role in the region.

“Tehran interferes in the domestic affairs of neighbouring countries, trains militias and sponsors terrorism. We cannot have relations with a country that encourages terrorism in our countries,” he said.

“The developments have indicated that the GCC countries are a source of stability in the region. We strive to provide an appropriate environment for the development of the Gulf citizen.”

Al Zayani said that that a decision had been made to hold a regular meeting of the GCC ministers of the interior, foreign affairs and defense, as well as to hold an annual GCC-British summit.

The GCC secretary general said that the GCC leaders endorsed the vision of Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud to reinforce the common GCC action plan and made the decision to set up a high-profile commission from the GCC members to look into economic and development issues.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Makroum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, took to Twitter to express thanks to the Saudi king.

“King Salman is today leading a Gulf and Arab movement to consolidate security and stability in the region and stand in front of all external interventions. All thanks to the people of the Kingdom .. and all the love for the people of Jeddah for the organising and hosting of the GCC summit,” he said.

The GCC, established in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The GCC leaders hold an annual summit in the capital of a member state rotating on the Arabic alphabet.

They also hold a yearly consultative summit in Saudi Arabia, the headquarters of the alliance. This summit does not have a specific agenda and is open to review all matters of shared interest.