Riyadh, Jan 5, 2020, SPA -- GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani said in a statement that the GCC countries have followed with great concern the serious events and developments in the brotherly country of Iraq. Dr. Al-Zayani called on the concerned parties to calm down, de-escalate, and prioritize political solutions to the crises in order to spare the region, which is already tensed, and its people of any negative repercussions on their security and stability. The Secretary General called on the international community to assume its responsibilities to reduce escalation in this vital region of the world. --SPA 22:12 LOCAL TIME 19:12 GMT 0028 www.spa.gov.sa/w1240673