The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Secretary General of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) criticized the anti-Saudi statement made by Iraq's Vice President and former Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki on July 17 on the Iraq-based Afaq TV channel. 

GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani strongly condemned Maliki's remarks, against Saudi Arabia, describing the remarks as irresponsible, false and heinous accusations that do not help to strengthen the Gulf-Iraqi relations.

Dr. Al-Zayani said these provocative and unrealistic statements come within the known efforts of Al-Maliki to sabotage Iraq's relations its Arab neighbors.

The OIC general secretariat issued a statement in which it said it considered the Al-Maliki’s comments irresponsible, especially coming from a senior official of the Iraqi government. It added that the vice president’s statement feeds into the sectarian and denominational agenda at a time when concerted efforts must be made by all OIC member states to confront common challenges; combat terrorism, extremist ideology and sectarian division.