Arab FMs Reiterates Commitment to Arab Initiative for Mideast Peace
A general view of 147th session of the Arab League Council at the level of foreign ministers in Cairo, Egypt on March 7, 2017 – AA.
Cairo, 09 Jumadil Akhir 1438/08 March 2017 (MINA) – Arab foreign ministers has renewed full commitment to the Arab peace initiative of 2002 to settle the Mideast conflict based on a two-state solution.
In a statement at the conclusion of their 147th meeting, the ministers reaffirmed the inalienable rights of Palestinian people to self-determination, having an independent viable state, releasing their prisoners and returning of their refugees to their country as per the international law and the UN and Arab summits resolutions.
They called for galvanizing international support to issue a UN Security Council resolution supporting the two-state solution and setting a timetable for ending the Israeli occupation, KUNA reported.
They urged the international community to put into effect the UNSC resolution No. 2334 of 2016 termed the Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian land a blatant violation of the international law and an obstacle to Mideast peace.
They asked all world countries to abide by the UNSC resolutions No. 476 and 478 of 1980 which annulled the Israeli legalization of its annexation of the occupied Jerusalem and discouraged the opening or transferring of diplomatic missions or embassies to Jerusalem.
The ministers tasked Arab diplomats in the UN to intensify efforts to press the UNSC to shoulder its responsibility towards the Palestinian people and to stop the Israeli illegal settlement activities.
They called on the UNSC to provide protection to the Palestinian people as per its resolutions No. 904 of 1994 and 605 of 1987 and to apply the international humanitarian law and Geneva Convention.
They expressed full support to the Palestinian government efforts to join international organizations and treaties.
They reiterated rejection to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. They also voiced opposition to any proposal for a Palestinian state with temporary borders or that separate Gaza Strip from the Palestinian state.
Palestinian refugees core of Palestinian cause
The ministers warned Israel against provoking sentiments of Arabs and Muslims worldwide through its illegal and ruthless efforts to change the Arab character of the occupied Jerusalem and to divide Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Such acts risk prompts a religious conflict in the region, they warned.
They also said that Palestinian refugees are the core of the Palestinian cause, nobody could give up their right to return to their home country.
In this regard, they opposed any attempt to settle Palestinian refugees in their hosting countries or deprive them from their right to return.
They demanded all warring parties in Syria to protect Palestinian refugees there and not to consider them part of the civil conflict.
They underlined the need to continue politically and financially supporting the Palestinian government.
To achieve this goal, they called for aiding the Palestinian government with USD 100 million every month to allow it to carry out its responsibilities.
The ministers thanked Kuwait for planning to host an international conference on the suffering of Palestinian children under the Israeli occupation next May.
They called for sustained support for UNRWA to be able to continue performing its mandate and responsibilities in the relief and works of Palestinian refugees at all levels. (T/RS05/RS01)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
