Riyadh: HE Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Economic Affairs Sector at the Arab League, Ambassador Ali bin Ibrahim Al Malki, emphasized that the extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit scheduled for Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, seeks to forge a consensus among Arab and Islamic nations to halt the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The summit aims to establish a unified stance against Israeli aggression and highlight the need for stability in Lebanon.
According to Qatar News Agency, Ambassador Al Malki remarked that this summit is a continuation of the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit held on November 11, 2023, in Riyadh, where leaders underscored the importance of a collective Arab-Islamic position in addressing the critical developments in Gaza and the Palestinian territories. He noted the necessity for unity among Arab and Islamic nations to tackle the situation and mitigate its impacts.
The Assistant Secretary-General reiterated the summit’s significance in reaching a common Arab and Islamic agreement to
cease hostilities, support the two-state solution, and establish an independent Palestinian state. He highlighted the importance of Lebanon’s stability and the need to find resolutions to ease tensions in Beirut and curtail regional escalation.
Ambassador Al Malki pointed out that the summit presents an opportunity to rally efforts for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid, as Gaza faces severe famine risks due to food shortages and blocked foreign assistance. He mentioned that the summit would bolster the activities of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee in this domain.
His Excellency stated that the summit will hold Israel accountable for the ongoing situation in Gaza and Lebanon, citing violations of international and humanitarian laws. He stressed that a just peace, affirming the two-state solution as proposed by Saudi Arabia’s political initiative, remains the optimal pathway for resolving the Middle East conflict and ensuring regional security and stability. This initiative is reinforced by internationa
l recognition of Palestine by 149 countries and support for its pursuit of full United Nations membership.
In a related note, Ambassador Al Malki commended Qatar’s efforts to strengthen Arab cooperation on these issues. He acknowledged that the Palestinian cause is a top priority in Qatar’s foreign policy and diplomatic endeavors, reflecting its steadfast support for the Palestinian people through humanitarian, development, and mediation efforts to end the aggression on Gaza.