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 Joins Middle East Green Initiative

 Prime Minister Najib Mikati sits between Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan and Environment Minister Nasser Yassin during the announcement (Office of the Prime Minister)
 Prime Minister Najib Mikati sits between Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan and Environment Minister Nasser Yassin during the announcement (Office of the Prime Minister)
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Lebanon Joins Middle East Green Initiative

 Prime Minister Najib Mikati sits between Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan and Environment Minister Nasser Yassin during the announcement (Office of the Prime Minister)
 Prime Minister Najib Mikati sits between Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan and Environment Minister Nasser Yassin during the announcement (Office of the Prime Minister)

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister announced that the country has joined the Middle East Green Initiative, launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to mitigate the impact of climate change on the region.

“This is an essential step for Lebanon, especially since our southern villages and towns have been exposed to significant environmental and agricultural damage due to Israeli attacks, which requires cooperation with all of Lebanon's friends,” a statement released by the Lebanese Council of Ministers quoted Mikati as saying.

Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan welcomed Lebanon’s participation in the initiative, confirming that a high committee has been established to ensure the project’s sustainability and facilitate relevant cooperation.

He noted that the timing of the announcement “comes in light of the continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and this matter must be drawn to attention, especially since Israel is destroying very large areas, whether agricultural lands, fruit trees or forests.”

Environment Minister Nasser Yassin said that the Middle East Green Initiative has very important goals to plant 40 billion trees across the region and protect the Gulf and the Middle East from climate change, stop land degradation and desertification and find the means to adapt to future challenges.

The Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture estimates that more than 2.8 million square meters of forest and agricultural land were completely burned, while about 6.7 million square meters of agricultural and forest land were partially damaged as a result of Israel’s attacks and its use of internationally-banned incendiary munitions.