US Central Command Chief General Joseph Votel urged feuding Gulf Arab states on Wednesday to put aside their differences and ‘unite’ against Iranian efforts to ‘destabilize’ the region.

“Two of our enduring security threats are present in this region — the destabilizing actions of Iran and violent extremist organizations,” said Votel, who heads US forces in the Middle East, ahead of a military conference in Kuwait on Wednesday which is to be attended by Saudi Arabia and its allies, and their bitter rival Qatar.

Votel said it was “imperative” to “enhance and integrate our capabilities for our mutual national security interests” and “rise above all the other aspects”.

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia and its allies cut all ties with Qatar, demanding that their erstwhile ally cut ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and take a ‘stronger line’ with Iran.

Source: AFP