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Gulf Arab States Voice Concern Over Sept. 11 Legislation

Two days before the 15 anniversary of the attacks, Congress passed a bill that would allow the families of the 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia.

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The head of the six-nation GCC said the law was “contrary to the foundations and principles of relations between states and the principle of sovereign immunity enjoyed by states”. The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) was passed by the Senate in May, but the White House has indicated it will veto the bill.

Saudi Arabia is attempting to “ignore” the victims of the 9/11 Al-Qaeda terror attacks on the United States that killed almost 3,000 people and is “very afraid” of the victims, a survivor has claimed.

FILE – In this Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, file photo, an American flag flies over Capitol Hill in Washington.

Moreover, al-Zayani expressed hopes on the USA casting the bill aside and not moving it into implementation.

Saudi Arabia welcomed the release of the declassified files, saying they contained no surprises and should end speculation of official Saudi involvement.

Saudi Arabia has strongly objected to the proposed law, which would give victims’ families the right to sue Saudi Arabia in US courts.

He also warned that it would “negatively affect the global efforts and worldwide cooperation to combat terrorism”.

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates also issued condemnations of the bill.

Besides Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

“Head of the media office at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the piece of legislation violates global law, particularly the principle of sovereign equality between states”.

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“It is not based on worldwide norms or principles of relations between states”, he added, going on to voice hope that the US administration would veto the “flawed” law.

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