Saudi FM Calls for Unity of Libyan Territories

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)
TT

Saudi FM Calls for Unity of Libyan Territories

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has called for preserving the unity and integrity of the Libyan territories and regional sovereignty.

In his speech before the Arab Parliament in Cairo on Wednesday, he noted that the Arab region is undergoing changes and challenges that impact the security, economic and political aspects.

The Kingdom continues to call on our Libyan brothers to show restraint and put the higher interest of the country above everything by preserving the unity and integrity of the Libyan territories and regional sovereignty in addition to establishing a real national dialogue leading to a comprehensive peace among all parties, Prince Faisal added.

The minister outlined the political, economic and security challenges facing many Arab countries, and called on Arab states to take action in order to consolidate stability and development.

He affirmed that Saudi Arabia’s policy is based on the principles of peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty and independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and solving disputes by peaceful means within international law.

Meanwhile, Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh stressed the importance of providing Arab support to the Libyans and activating the Treaty of Joint Defence and Economic Cooperation of the League of Arab States since it is the only solution.

Saleh asked the Arab Parliament to withdraw its recognition of Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) presidential council due to its violation of the constitutional declaration and the political agreement of Skhirat.

President of the Arab Parliament Dr. Mishaal bin Fahm al-Salami has warned of the danger of aggressive plans by countries to revive their colonial ambitions via forming militias and proxies inside Arab societies and dispatching forces that violate the sovereignty of Arab states.

Salami said that rapid developments in the Arab world had reached dangerous levels, in light of conflicts and external interference in some Arab countries, and the threat this posed to security.

In the concluding statement, he welcomed the announcement of the recent ceasefire, calling on all parties to abide by it to help reach a comprehensive political solution to the crisis.

He also stressed the parliament’s rejection of the decision issued by the Turkish Parliament regarding sending military forces to Libya, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting the supply of weapons to Libya.



France to Host Lebanon Aid Conference, Macron Says

France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the closing session of the 19th Summit of the Francophonie at the Grand Palais in Paris, on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the closing session of the 19th Summit of the Francophonie at the Grand Palais in Paris, on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
TT

France to Host Lebanon Aid Conference, Macron Says

France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the closing session of the 19th Summit of the Francophonie at the Grand Palais in Paris, on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the closing session of the 19th Summit of the Francophonie at the Grand Palais in Paris, on October 5, 2024. (AFP)

France will host an international conference this month to help drum up humanitarian aid for Lebanon and strengthen security in the southern part of the country, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday.

"We will hold in the next few weeks a conference to provide humanitarian aid, support the international community and support the Lebanese armed forces boost security, especially in southern Lebanon," Macron said after a meeting of French speaking countries in Paris.

Israel has begun an intense bombing campaign in Lebanon and sent troops across the border in recent weeks after nearly a year of exchanging fire with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Fighting had previously been mostly limited to the Israel-Lebanon border area, taking place in parallel to Israel's year-old war in Gaza against Palestinian group Hamas.  

Earlier, Macron said shipments of arms used in the conflict in Gaza should be stopped as part of a broader effort to find a political solution.  

France is not a major weapons provider for Israel, shipping military equipment worth 30 million euros ($33 million) last year, according to the defense ministry's annual arms exports report.  

"I think the priority today is to get back to a political solution (and) that arms used to fight in Gaza are halted. France doesn't ship any," Macron told France Inter radio.  

"Our priority now is to avoid escalation. The Lebanese people must not in turn be sacrificed, Lebanon cannot become another Gaza," he added.  

Macron's comments come as his Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot is on a four-day trip to the Middle East, wrapping up on Monday in Israel as Paris looks to play a role in reviving diplomatic efforts.