They described terrorism as “a global scourge and called for intensifying international efforts to combat and root out terrorism,” GCC Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Al-Attiya said.

“Such terrorist acts have nothing to do with Islam,” Al-Attiya said in a statement at the end of the biannual consultative summit.

The meeting was attended by Crown Prince Abdullah, King Hamad of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad of Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Fahd ibn Mahmoud Al-Saeed, the deputy prime minister of Oman, and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, Kuwait’s first deputy premier and foreign minister. Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, was also present.

The GCC leaders welcomed the appointment of Mahmud Abbas as Palestinian prime minister and the release of the Middle East Road Map. They urged Israel to accept the plan without reservations.

The GCC leaders reiterated their total rejection of all forms of extremism, violence and terrorism, regardless of their sources and motives.

GCC leaders meet twice a year, in early summer on a consultative basis and at the end of the year to finalize decisions.

The Gulf leaders expressed “deep concern over the continuing violence and instability in Iraq,” saying this could worsen the humanitarian suffering there.