Nabil Fahmy: Kuwait's voice is high and positive on Arab issues

- Non-Arab parties are exploiting an imbalance in power and political influence to undermine Arab sovereignty and interests.

- I am in contact with the Saudi and Yemeni foreign ministers to assess the situation and determine possible steps to support their positions.

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil Fahmy, stated that “Kuwait has a long and rich history of participation in joint Arab action since the inception of the League, in addition to Kuwait’s political system and the active diplomacy of its leadership, which has been engaged in Arab affairs throughout its existence, and its voice is prominent and positive in the League’s deliberations or consultations on political issues.”

Fahmy, during his interview with Kuwait Television on Tuesday, noted that “the Arab world is currently being reshaped under external pressures and internal problems, amid a turbulent international climate where the rule of law is being replaced by the law of force.” He clarified that “all Arab states, particularly those that have historically been most active in Arab affairs, are required to play a proactive and constructive role that addresses past issues and builds a better future for coming generations.”

He added, “There is a clear and decisive common Arab stake, and Arab rights are being undermined. In the Gulf, this has manifested as an infringement on the sovereignty of Arab states; in the Mashreq, it has involved undermining the rights of the Palestinian people, specifically their right to self-determination, as well as violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and Syria’s sovereignty over its national borders. What is common to all these instances is that non-Arab parties are exploiting an imbalance in power and political influence to harm Arab interests.”

Fahmy stressed that “what is required of us as Arabs is to restore this influence and reestablish proper balance, not to confront anyone, but to secure justice at the expense of falsehood. Arab states are not hostile toward anyone, nor do they harbor colonial ambitions. This was evident in our relations with Iran from the Gulf side over centuries, as well as in the Mashreq regarding Israel. The Arab position has always sought peace. However, we cannot accept infringements on interests, attacks on civilian targets, or settlement expansion at the expense of the Palestinian people’s rights.”

Regarding the impact on interests due to the closure of certain waterways and the control of maritime navigation by some states, he added, “I am well aware that we are all medium-sized states on the global stage. Thus, the backbone of collective security within the framework of the Arab League is respect for international law. I am convinced that if we overlook violations in one Middle Eastern arena, they will be exploited in another. This is why all Arab states, without exception, insist on the legitimate Palestinian right to establish their state.”

Fahmy noted that what he said regarding international law “also applies to naval maneuvers, whether in the Strait of Hormuz or the Bab al-Mandab. Any violation here will inevitably be exploited again. So, what has caused the Hormuz issue to resurface now, and why is Bab al-Mandab being raised again?”

Fahmy continued, “I firmly believe and state frankly that we, as Arabs, must support ourselves through our own capabilities and mutual cooperation, not against anyone, but to secure rights and Arab interests grounded in law. We are all medium-sized states. The best approach to cooperation is, first, political, and second, by developing our capacities in national security—military, intelligence, political, and economic—as these are all interconnected. You cannot confront an attack without military capability, nor can you rely solely on the military aspect, because ultimately you are a medium-sized state. Therefore, you must have political influence and relations. Success in any of these areas requires economic capacity that enables resilience.”

He noted that “since the onset of the recent events, I have been in contact with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Yemen to assess the situation and determine what steps can be taken to support their positions, as well as to sustain ongoing diplomatic efforts. Although the road ahead remains long, what we can contribute to this process is reform within the Arab League, and development takes time, with part of it involving early intervention. We must possess an Arab capacity, one whose priorities are the Arab interest in responding to disasters and managing crises (through early response), so that our stance is not always reactive to international reports or to the intervention of another party. This mechanism is fundamentally informational rather than military. I also aim to strengthen the Arab security framework.”

When asked about his priorities, whether the Palestinian issue or the Gulf crisis, Fahmi replied, “The Palestinian issue has been ongoing for 80 years, involving a heroic occupied people. As for the Gulf issue, it constitutes an official crime and a clear violation of international law, against Arab interests. I will address both issues regardless of which one emerges first, and I will not fail on one issue at the expense of another party or cause.”

Fahmi emphasized, “There are numerous visions for reconstructing Gaza, including immediate foundational visions aimed at the sincere and legitimate implementation of the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement, which comprises twenty points starting with a ceasefire and extending to insurance and the establishment of a Palestinian state. In this context, displacement is prohibited, and anyone who has been displaced has the right to return to either Gaza or the West Bank. In my view, the agreement was a necessary and beneficial one; however, the Israeli side is not adhering to it at all.”