Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani condemned the Qatari media attacks targeting him, Al Qabas newspaper reported.
Al Zayani denounced what he called "irresponsible media attacks carried out by some Qatari news outlets toward the GCC and the Secretary-General, describing it as an unjust campaign that exceeded all customs, values and media professionalism".
In a press statement, Al Zayani expressed his deep surprise at the attempt by some Qatari media to hold the GCC Secretary-General as responsible for resolving the GCC crisis.
“Although officials in the Qatari government and the Qatari media are fully aware that the solution of the crisis and the end of its repercussions are in the hands of the GCC leaders, who are the members of the Supreme Council, and no one else. It is not the responsibility and duty of the Secretary-General, who receives and executes the decisions, directives and orders of the Supreme Council and the Ministerial Council only, committed to the provisions of the Statute of the Co-operation Council,” Al Zayani said.
He expressed his disapproval of what some journalists in Qatar are attempting as they try to link the crisis with his Bahraini nationality and his well-known position in the kingdom, affirming his full commitment to discharge his responsibilities, tasks and duties assigned by the Supreme Council to preserve the cohesion of the GCC system and its achievements and its regional and international standing.
Al-Zayani said that he remains at the same time “a noble son of the Kingdom of Bahrain, faithful to its distinguished leaders, who maintain its patriotism”.
The GCC Secretary-General called upon the Qatari media to stop using its current approach that harms, separates and blocks the paths to repairing the inter-brotherly relations. It hinders the good mediation efforts undertaken by the Kuwait Amir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah known for his wisdom, loyalty and love towards the GCC countries and peoples, he added.