Arab League Chief Says Iran is Obstructing Peace in Yemen, Slams Turkey's Regional Interventions

Secretary-General of Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit speaks during a news conference after the 29th Arab Summit in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, April 15, 2018. (REUTERS)
Secretary-General of Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit speaks during a news conference after the 29th Arab Summit in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, April 15, 2018. (REUTERS)
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Arab League Chief Says Iran is Obstructing Peace in Yemen, Slams Turkey's Regional Interventions

Secretary-General of Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit speaks during a news conference after the 29th Arab Summit in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, April 15, 2018. (REUTERS)
Secretary-General of Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit speaks during a news conference after the 29th Arab Summit in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, April 15, 2018. (REUTERS)

Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit accused Iran of obstructing a comprehensive peace settlement in Yemen, saying the Houthi group decisions are linked to Tehran.

Speaking to Egyptian media, the secretary-general said the situation in the region is unprecedentedly complicated, given the magnitude of threats and challenges, especially with Iranian and Turkish interventions that threaten the national security of several Arab countries, as well as the security of Arabs as a whole.

Turkish interference in Arab affairs is increasing, and now include violations of Iraqi sovereignty through repeated military attacks, said Aboul Gheit.

“There is an occupation of part of the Syrian region, and there is military involvement in the Libyan crisis.”

Also, the sec-gen asserted that the Arab League will continue to support the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.

He added that the Palestinian state will inevitably be established and a solution will be reached for the long-term regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Aboul Gheit called for ending the intra-Palestinian divisions, urging the Palestinian factions to prioritize the interests of the people above all other considerations.

“Our responsibility is to support the Palestinian people, and encourage the leadership to rise out of this extremely difficult situation that the Palestinian cause is going through.”

The secretary-general strongly denied claims that he supports the US peace plan, also known as the "deal of the century", confirming that he is against it.

“The Arab countries have not abandoned the Palestinian cause,” he noted.

He also stressed the need for an honest and in-depth dialogue between Arab countries regarding the Arab Peace Initiative.

Some Western countries talk about human rights, but refrain from discussing what the Israeli occupation is doing to the Palestinian people, said Aboul Gheit, adding that the Palestinian people will never accept conceding their rights in the state and the land.

Aboul Gheit denounced calls to end the role of the League, wondering who would benefit from such a move.

He pointed out that the establishment of the League is different from the EU or the UN, describing it as an entity for coordination between the positions of Arab countries.



Lebanon Condemns Attacks on UN Peacekeeping Mission

 A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
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Lebanon Condemns Attacks on UN Peacekeeping Mission

 A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)

Lebanon on Monday condemned attacks on the United Nations peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) stationed in its south, including last week's rocket strike in which four Italian soldiers were lightly injured.

The 10,000-strong multi-national UNIFIL mission is monitoring hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel, an area hit by fierce clashes between the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah party and Israeli forces.

Since Israel launched a ground campaign across the border against Hezbollah at the end of September, UNIFIL soldiers have suffered several attacks coming from both sides.

"Lebanon strongly condemns any attack on UNIFIL and calls on all sides to respect the safety, security of the troops and their premises," Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said during a conference in Rome.

Bou Habib spoke before attending a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Anagni, southeast of Rome, along with other colleagues from the Middle East, which was set to discuss conflicts in the region.

Bou Habib added: "Lebanon condemns recent attacks on the Italian contingent and deplores such unjustified hostilities."

Italy said Hezbollah was likely responsible for the attack carried out on Friday against its troops in UNIFIL.

Beirut's foreign minister called for implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a previous war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 with a ceasefire that has faced challenges and violations over the years.

"Lebanon is ready to fulfil its obligations stipulated in the above-mentioned resolution," Bou Habib said.

"This literally means and I quote: 'There will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon'."

Hezbollah, militarily more powerful than Lebanon's regular army, says it is defending the country from Israeli aggression. It vows to keep fighting and says it will not lay down arms or allow Israel to achieve political gains on the back of the war.