Fawzi to Guterres: Credibility of the international system at stake in Gaza
Nabil Fawzi warns Guterres of the fragility of the ceasefire in Gaza and calls for the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy stressed that the credibility of the international system is now measured by developments in the Gaza Strip, warning of the fragility of the ceasefire following the death of more than 1,500 martyrs since its implementation.
Fahmy, during his meeting today, Sunday, at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasized the need for the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2803, the preservation of the territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian land, and support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and its mandate. He warned that continued impunity encourages violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria.
The Arab League reiterated its firm rejection of all regional transgressions involving the unlawful use of force, including Iranian attacks on the territories and interests of neighboring Arab states, and the ongoing Houthi attacks targeting airports and civilian facilities, which recently escalated to the launch of missiles toward the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Fahmy affirmed the Arab League’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its right to defend its security and sovereignty. He called on the Security Council to enforce its resolutions, stressing the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
The meeting also addressed the situation in Lebanon, as the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) nears its end. Fahmy emphasized the importance of avoiding any security vacuum in the south and supporting the Lebanese state in extending its authority over its entire territory. The discussions also covered the situations in Sudan, Syria, and Libya, with a reaffirmation of the unity, sovereignty, and national institutions of these countries.
Fahmy welcomed the UN Secretary-General and expressed appreciation for his commitment to making the Arab League a key stop on his visit, noting the convergence of their diplomatic paths on the international stage in recent decades. He also expressed his appreciation for the fruitful and continuous cooperation between the United Nations and the Arab League, affirming that the years during which the Secretary-General has held his office will remain etched in Arab memory for his defense of the UN Charter and international law, particularly his firm positions regarding the Palestinian issue and the war on Gaza.
Guterres expressed his firm and unwavering commitment to the necessity of states respecting international law and the UN Charter. He reaffirmed his appreciation for the close partnership between the United Nations and the Arab League, emphasizing the international organization’s commitment to continuing coordination with the League and supporting its efforts to enhance its work in confronting the challenges facing the region and international developments.
