At the outset of the meeting, the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Interior delivered a speech in which he welcomed the GCC Ministers of Interior and conveyed the greeting of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani as well as his whishes for the successful meeting. The Qatari Prime Minister also congratulated Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, on the royal trust bestowed upon him, wishing him success in his duties. Sheikh Abdullah hoped that the 16th Consultative Meeting in Doha today would contribute to the progress of the joint GCC action in order to implement the directives of the GCC leaders that called for more accomplishments to further boost GCC growth and achieve security, stability and well-being for their peoples. "The meeting is being held under exceptional circumstances and unprecedented challenges facing the GCC and the entire Arab region, adding that these challenges include political instability and insecurity in a number of countries at the top of them is Yemen which 'its stability is part and parcel of our stability," Sheikh Abdullah said. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani praised the positions taken by GCC leaders to address all challenges facing the GCC states, commending the decision by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to launch Operation Determination Storm. --More 17:31 LOCAL TIME 14:31 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w