Gulf States designate FETO ‘terrorist organization’

RIYADH (AA) – Foreign ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states on Thursday designated the FETO group, led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, a "terrorist organization", stressing their support for the Turkish government’s recent moves against the group.

The decision was announced at a GCC-organized meeting in Riyadh attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who arrived in the Saudi capital on Thursday, and his Gulf counterparts.

The joint announcement also called for the adoption of new strategies aimed at fighting terrorism emanating from pseudo-religious "cults" such as FETO, or the Fetullah Terrorist Organization.

Gulf foreign ministers also stressed their support for Turkey’s stability under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, along with Turkish actions taken against FETO since the latter’s failed July 15 coup attempt.

The announcement also included calls to maintain the fight against the Daesh terrorist group -- in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere -- within the context of a 60-nation anti-Daesh coalition led by the U.S.

Ministers also condemned attacks on Turkey -- by the PKK and other terrorist groups -- and affirmed Turkey’s right to defend itself.