UAE chairs Arab League session, calls for global support to halt Gaza war

The UAE respectfully called for international support to stop the war in the Gaza Strip, halt the process of displacement, and provide life-saving humanitarian aid for its residents without hindrance.

This call was made during the UAE's chairmanship of the 164th regular session of the Council of the Arab League, which was attended by foreign ministers.

The session took place at the League's General Secretariat headquarters in Cairo and was attended by the League's Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini.

Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State, represented the UAE and chaired the session. The Council discussed the Secretary-General's report on the activities of the General Secretariat and the implementation of the Council's decisions between the 163rd and 164th sessions.

They also reviewed the Decisions and Commitments Follow-up Authority's semi-annual report. The Council also reviewed a number of Arab and regional issues.

Addressing to the Arab foreign ministers, Al Marar pointed to the UAE's participation in the two-state solution conference held in New York and co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, as well as its adherence to the conference's declaration.

He explained that an official document outlining a roadmap towards the realisation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state living in security and safety alongside Israel is now in place.

In light of the growing momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state, the UAE called for the achievements of the Two-State Solution Conference to be built upon, and for the greatest possible international support to be mobilised to stop the war in Gaza.

This support would provide life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza's residents without hindrance, halt displacement and land annexation, prevent the deterioration of the Palestinian territories and Jerusalem, and stop illegal Israeli practices

The UAE also emphasised the importance of stopping Israeli settlers and extremists from encroaching on Palestinian land, and of putting enough pressure on both sides to resume negotiations between the Palestinians, led by the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and Israel, with the aim of reaching a just, comprehensive and sustainable solution.

The UAE stressed the importance of unifying the peace narrative, rejecting extremism and combatting terrorism.

In addition, the UAE plays an active and effective role in all of these areas. It is spearheading humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip and leveraging its political influence and contacts to foster an environment conducive to negotiations, promote a culture of peace, and reject extremism, violence, and confrontation.