Bahrain king calls for international Middle East peace conference
Bahrain’s king has called for an international Middle East peace conference at the start of an Arab League summit held under the shadow of the war in Gaza.
“[We] call for an international conference for peace in the Middle East, in addition to supporting full recognition of the State of Palestine and accepting its membership in the United Nations,” King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the summit’s host said.
Palestinian Authority calls on Arab countries for financial support
The Palestinian government has not received the financial support it expected from international and regional partners, President Mahmoud Abbas has said at an Arab League summit.
“It has now become critical to activate the Arab safety net to boost the resilience of our people and to enable the government to carry out its duties,” Abbas said.
UN chief calls for Arab unity in summit address
“There is no better moment for the Arab region to come together,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in remarks to Arab leaders in Bahrain. “Unity and solidarity throughout the Arab world would amplify the vital voice of the region and further boost your influence on the global stage,” he continued.
Guterres also reiterated his strong position in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza, saying that the death and destruction currently being meted out on the enclave must come to an end. It can help this region find peace, make the most of its enormous potential, and further contribute to the global good.
“Entire families wiped out. Children traumatized and injured for life. People denied access to the very basics for human survival. A looming famine … It is time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza,” he said to the Arab League summit.
Arab League calls for peacekeepers in occupied Palestinian territory
The Arab League called for a United Nations peacekeeping force in the occupied Palestinian territory at a summit dominated by the war on Gaza.
The “Manama Declaration” issued by the 22-member bloc called for “international protection and peacekeeping forces of the United Nations in the occupied Palestinian territories” until a two-state solution is implemented.
The meeting is the first time the bloc has come together since an extraordinary summit in Riyadh, capital of neighbouring Saudi Arabia, in November that also involved leaders from the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
At that meeting, leaders condemned Israeli forces for their “barbaric” actions in Gaza.
Arab League condemns ‘Israel’s obstruction of ceasefire efforts’
The Arab League demanded an immediate end to fighting in Gaza, blaming Israeli “obstruction” for failed negotiations for a ceasefire. The Arab League issued the statement after a summit in Bahrain drew top leaders.
“We stress the need to stop the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip immediately, withdraw the Israeli occupation forces from all areas of the Strip, [and] lift the siege imposed on it,” it said.
The countries also called for the release of “hostages and detainees”.
“We strongly condemn Israel’s obstruction of ceasefire efforts in the Gaza Strip and its continued military escalation by expanding its aggression against the Palestinian city of Rafah, despite international warnings of the disastrous humanitarian consequences,” it said.
