Tunisia calls for developing an Arab mechanism to monitor challenges and threats in the Arab region
Cairo, Sept 7 (KUNA) -- Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Nafati called on Monday for the development of an Arab monitoring and early warning mechanism capable of identifying security challenges and threats and intervening in a timely manner before they escalate, thereby enhancing stability in fragile regions.
This came during a speech delivered by Nafati while presiding over the 166th ordinary session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level, attended by Arab foreign ministers and their representatives, as well as Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby.
Nafati stated that the Arab region is witnessing unprecedented and highly sensitive developments resulting from the accelerated military escalation in the Gulf and Middle East regions, which carries serious repercussions for regional and international security and stability, and poses a threat of expanding tensions and worsening the plight of the region's peoples.
He reaffirmed Tunisia’s commitment to the provisions of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the Arab League Charter, as well as respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of states. He expressed his country’s full solidarity with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Jordan, and Iraq, and condemned attacks and violations that undermine their sovereignty, security, and stability.
He called for an end to military operations, the prioritization of wisdom and dialogue, the peaceful settlement of differences and disputes, and building on efforts and initiatives aimed at containing crises and preventing their spread.
Nafati stressed that achieving security and stability in the region remains linked to enabling the Palestinian people to fully reclaim their legitimate rights, foremost among them the establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
On Arab affairs, he affirmed Tunisia’s support for Libya’s unity, sovereignty, and independent decision-making, and its backing of efforts to resolve differences among Libyans. He also expressed Tunisia’s solidarity with the Sudanese people and its hope for an end to the war, the restoration of stability, and reconstruction.
He called for a comprehensive and permanent political settlement in Yemen, and condemned Israeli occupation violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and attacks on its territory, urging the international community and the Security Council to assume their responsibilities to halt these violations and pressure the occupation to withdraw from Lebanese lands.
He warned against Israeli moves aimed at dividing the Arab region, including the recognition of the so-called "Somaliland," reaffirming Tunisia’s solidarity with Somalia.
He emphasized the importance of unifying Arab efforts and enhancing cooperation to confront terrorism, extremism, organized crime, and humanitarian and developmental challenges, calling for support for institutions of joint Arab action and the transformation of Arab decisions into executable programs and mechanisms.
For her part, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Arab League, Ambassador Fawzia Zainal, affirmed her country’s readiness to continue working with Arab states to enhance Arab solidarity, safeguard national security, and consolidate peace and stability. She explained that the achievements during Bahrain’s previous presidency were the fruit of a shared Arab will.
In a similar speech, Zainal said that Bahrain’s presidency of the 165th session focused on supporting the process of joint Arab action and enhancing coordination and consultation among member states in a manner that serves common Arab interests and strengthens the Arab League’s capacity to address regional and international challenges.
She added that the coming phase requires continuing Arab efforts and intensifying collective action to confront the crises and challenges facing the region, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Arab unity and developing cooperation and coordination mechanisms among Arab states.
The Kuwaiti delegation participating in the 166th session is led by Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Hamad Al-Muhsen. (End) M.M. / N.S.A.
