RIYADH: Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said that the Unified Military Command is key to security and stability, a shield to protect the capabilities and achievements of the GCC states and a source of pride and honor for all GCC citizens.

The statement came during his visit to the UMC headquarters in Riyadh on Tuesday, where he was received by Commander Lt. Gen. Dr. Eid bin Awad Al-Shalawi and senior officers.

During the visit, Al-Hajraf was briefed on the duties carried out by the command and its affiliated units and the steps taken to execute these tasks.

Al-Hajraf stressed the bloc’s support for international efforts aimed at dealing with the stranded Safer oil tanker and the importance of speeding up these endeavors.

During a meeting with UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen David Gressly and US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking, he reaffirmed the bloc’s continuous support to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.

Their discussion covered the efforts of humanitarian organizations in Yemen and ways to enhance regional and international coordination in conjunction with the UN-brokered cease-fire in the country, which came into force on April 2.