Kuala Lumpur: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states' leaders and delegates have commenced their departure for home following the conclusion of the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the leaders departing included the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Farhan Al Saud, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. Sheikh Tamim, along with his delegation, boarded a special aircraft at noon from the Bunga Raya Complex of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and was sent off by Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

Later in the afternoon, at approximately 5:35 pm, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Farhan Al Saud departed on a special flight, followed by UAE Supreme Council Member Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, who left at 6:32 pm. Prince Faisal's group was seen off by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, while the UAE delegation was bid farewell by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Prior to their departure, all three leaders received a red carpet ceremonial send-off, featuring a guard-of-honour conducted by 28 officers and personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment (Ceremonial), led by Capt J. Lingesri Rao.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during his opening remarks at the ASEAN-GCC Summit, described the meeting as significant within the context of Southeast Asia. Anwar emphasized the presence of ASEAN leaders alongside representatives from the GCC countries as a reflection of the growing mutual trust and friendship between the two blocs.