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Arab Parliament Chief to Asharq Al-Awsat: Arab Security Unity to Confront Turkey, Iran

President of the Arab Parliament Mishaal Al-Salami. Arab Parliament
President of the Arab Parliament Mishaal Al-Salami. Arab Parliament
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Arab Parliament Chief to Asharq Al-Awsat: Arab Security Unity to Confront Turkey, Iran

President of the Arab Parliament Mishaal Al-Salami. Arab Parliament
President of the Arab Parliament Mishaal Al-Salami. Arab Parliament

The head of the Arab Parliament, Mishaal Al-Salami, said that Turkish and Iranian interference in Arab affairs has driven member states to push for a new unified strategy on dealing with neighboring countries.

The Arab Parliament mandate affirms the necessity of upholding the unity of Arab national security. Any attack on any Arab state is considered an attack on the Arab nation as whole, Al-Salami told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He stressed that Arab national security prevails over the bilateral relations of any of the Arab countries with Turkey and Iran.

The recently approved strategy is centered on dealing with aggressive neighboring countries, namely Turkey and Iran.

Al-Salami said that the strategy comes to handle the challenges facing the region and to counter Iranian and Turkish expansionist ambitions.

Emphasizing the importance of Arab relations with Turkey, Al-Salami said they must be based on principles of international law, good neighborliness, mutual respect for the sovereignty of states and legal systems, and non-interference in internal affairs.

Al-Salami also said that threats of using force should be avoided.

The new strategy rejects the expansionist ambitions of Ankara in the Arab region and activates the Joint Defense Council that was established under Article 6 of the Joint Defense and Economic Cooperation Treaty of 1950.

The Council will serve as a collective Arab deterrent tool against Turkish military interventions in Arab countries.

According to the strategy, Arab states will mull halting trade exchange and joint projects with Ankara until the Turkish regime gives up its expansionist ambitions in the region and its hostile policies and actions that threaten peace, security and stability in Arab countries.

It also demands that Turkey bars its state-funded propagandist satellite channels that mislead public opinion and that it legislates laws that prohibit these channels from broadcasting on Arab satellites.

With regard to dealing with Iran, the strategy called for solidarity with any Arab country facing Iranian regime aggression and hostility.

It rejected the Iranian nuclear project and demanded commitment to clearing the Middle East region of nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction.

Denouncing the establishment of any Iran-linked militias or organizations in Arab states, the strategy underpinned the need to bolster commitment to the Arab identity and to resolve internal disputes away from sectarianism.

It also stressed the importance of restoring UAE sovereignty over the three Arab gulf islands occupied by Iran.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.