Launch of the 166th Session of the League of Arab States Council at the Level of Ambassadors, with the participation of the State of Kuwait
Cairo, Sept 5 (KUNA) -- The 166th session of the Arab League Council at the level of permanent representatives kicked off today, Saturday, with the participation of Kuwait. The agenda covers several key files, most notably Iranian attacks on Arab states, the Palestinian issue, and developments in Syria, Sudan, Lebanon, Yemen, and Libya. Kuwait is represented at the meeting by a delegation headed by Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Adwani.
The opening session witnessed the transfer of the current chairmanship of the Council from Bahrain to Tunisia. Bahrain was represented by its Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Ambassador Fouzia Zainal.
Opening the session, Ambassador Zainal stated that Iran’s deliberate attacks targeting Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan constitute a blatant violation of international law and undermine peace and security across the entire region, particularly the targeting of civilians and civilian objects, which represents a serious breach of the provisions of international humanitarian law. She warned against the dangers of these aggressions, reaffirming the firm Arab position rejecting threats to the sovereignty of Arab states and the security of their citizens.
She emphasized that the Palestinian issue remains the central priority of the Arab world, noting the intense diplomatic activity during the 165th session aimed at confronting ongoing Israeli violations and aggression against the Gaza Strip. She renewed calls for efforts to stabilize the ceasefire, facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, and safeguard the rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. She stressed the importance of completing the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza agreement.
She pointed out Bahrain’s important and effective role in supporting the Palestinian cause during its tenure on the UN Security Council, highlighting its efforts to draw attention to the humanitarian suffering in Gaza and to push for resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire and the unhindered delivery of relief aid. She also noted Bahrain’s support for international efforts to secure full membership for the State of Palestine in the United Nations.
Zainal said, “The Kingdom of Bahrain has continued its efforts to support our brothers in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Iraq, and Somalia, standing by their national institutions to preserve their unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to resolve the crises engulfing them through political solutions.”
She affirmed that the previous session convened during a highly sensitive period, given the conflicts, crises, and serious challenges facing the region, which necessitate strengthening joint Arab action, coordinating positions, and supporting just Arab causes, based on the concept of Arab national security as an indivisible whole.
The permanent representatives will discuss the draft agenda for the session, which includes a number of political, economic, social, cultural, legal, and security items. Foremost among these are the Palestinian issue, Iranian attacks on Arab states, and the obligations incumbent upon Iran under international law. The agenda also covers developments in the occupied Syrian Golan, solidarity with and support for Lebanon, and developments in Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and the Comoros. It also addresses the Iranian occupation of the three UAE islands, as well as safeguarding Arab national security, combating terrorism, and developing the Arab system for counter-terrorism.
The representatives will also discuss elections to appoint heads of several permanent committees of the Council, including the Human Rights Committee, the Meteorological Committee, the Standing Committee for Information, and the Committee on International Humanitarian Law, as well as the appointment of judges to the Administrative Tribunal of the Arab League. (End) M.M. / A.M.S.
