Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit stated that the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip does not offer a lasting solution, stressing that peace can only be achieved by fulfilling the right of the Palestinian people to an independent state.
Describing Israel's 15-month campaign of attacks as a "genocidal war" against Gaza, Ghaith told the UN Security Council that "a ceasefire is not a permanent solution."
"The basis for peace can only be achieved by realizing the right of the Palestinian people to an independent state on the June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital," he said.
Noting that Israel's continued denial of Palestinian rights is "a threat to international peace and security," Ghaith said the attacks "did not stop at the borders of Gaza or Palestine, but have spread and their flames have reached the region."
He urged the Council to join the global alliance for the implementation of a two-state solution.
On Syria, Gheit expressed hope for "a successful transition" and warned against "Israeli expansionist greed in Syria and exploitation of the delicate moment."
“I emphasize here the need to remain committed to the 1974 disengagement agreement as the basis for the ceasefire between Syria and Israel,” he said, stressing that the occupation of the Golan Heights is “illegal and unjustified, except by Israel’s expansionist desires.”
Since Syrian anti-regime groups overthrew Bashar Assad on December 8, Israel has intensified airstrikes across Syria, violating the country's sovereignty.
Israel has also unilaterally terminated the 1974 Disengagement Agreement with Syria, deploying forces to the demilitarized zone in the occupied Golan Heights. The move has been condemned by the UN and Arab countries.
While Israel claims its presence is temporary, officials have hinted at the necessity of maintaining influence in Syria for the foreseeable future.
The head of the Arab League reported that the organization's efforts to support the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) drew attention to "the dangers of Israeli plans that aim to undermine UNRWA and eliminate its critical role."
Calling the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) "irreplaceable," Gheit said it "is not only performing a humanitarian role, but is a pillar of stability in the Arab region."
"We expect a decisive role from the Security Council in protecting this specialized agency," he said.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf called for the “strengthening” of relations between the Arab League and the UN, as he stressed the importance of strengthening “cooperation and coordination and integration” between the two.
"We are finding ourselves at a historic moment in time," he said, "to make up for the mistakes of the past."
He echoed the Arab League chief and said the Gaza ceasefire should lead to a political process and promote "a just, sustainable and comprehensive, full solution; namely the two-state solution."
Attaf expressed hope for the partnership between the UN and the Arab League to "end the phenomenon of foreign interference in all forms."
(AA/BalkanWeb)
