The Arab League Ministerial Council has stressed the UAE’s “absolute sovereignty” to three islands occupied by Iran and called for a resolution to the dispute.
At the end of the Arab League’s 141st session, the council criticised Iran’s occupation of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, saying it breached the UAE’s sovereignty.
It said the situation was destabilising security and stability in the region and the world, the state news agency Wam reported.
The council denounced the Iranian government building homes on the three islands, and holding military manoeuvres on them and in regional waters and airspace.
“Such moves will not help build confidence, but threaten the security and stability of the region, and expose regional and international navigation in the Arabian Gulf to danger,” it said.
The council also condemned Iran for opening two offices on Abu Musa and called for it to remove them.
It praised the UAE’s efforts towards finding a peaceful solution to the disputes.
The league called on the UN secretary general and president of the Security Council to keep the issue on the agenda.
It urged the Arab League secretary general to follow the issue and give an update to the council in its next ordinary session.
Iran took over the three islands on the eve of the UAE’s Federation in 1971.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
