Arab League Calls for Diplomacy, Dialogue Over Ukraine Crisis

Arab League Assistant Sec-Gen, Hossam Zaki speaking at the urgent meeting over Ukraine (Arab League)
Arab League Assistant Sec-Gen, Hossam Zaki speaking at the urgent meeting over Ukraine (Arab League)
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Arab League Calls for Diplomacy, Dialogue Over Ukraine Crisis

Arab League Assistant Sec-Gen, Hossam Zaki speaking at the urgent meeting over Ukraine (Arab League)
Arab League Assistant Sec-Gen, Hossam Zaki speaking at the urgent meeting over Ukraine (Arab League)

The Arab League said it was following the developments in Ukraine with "great concern," calling for support for all efforts to resolve the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.

The League, which held an emergency meeting on Monday at Egypt's request, said it supports "all efforts aimed at resolving the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy in a manner that preserves the security and safety of peoples in this important region of the world."

The meeting, chaired by Kuwait, stressed "the importance of respecting the principles of international law and the UN Charter," calling for supporting efforts to ease tensions.

The AL expressed concern over the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, stressing the importance of continued cooperation and coordination among Arab countries to maintain the security and safety of the Arab communities in the region and facilitate the conditions for those wishing to leave to neighboring countries.

The League also stressed the need to maintain the "security and safety of members of Arab diplomatic missions."

The League recommended forming an Arab group at the ministerial level to follow up and conduct the necessary consultations with the concerned parties seeking a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

During the meeting, the organization reviewed the developments of the situation and its effects on international peace and security and its direct impact on the Arab countries.

During his speech at the opening of the meeting, the Assistant Sec-Gen, Hossam Zaki, affirmed that the General Secretariat is following with great concern the developments in Ukraine and its severe military and humanitarian consequences.

Zaki reiterated it was necessary to intensify work to reach arrangements that satisfy everyone without resorting to military forces, warning that wars have their unfortunate high costs.

"We believe all peace-loving countries and organizations must move quickly to stop the escalation and not fuel it, restore dialogue, and seek to settle the crisis through indispensable diplomacy to avoid deterioration of the situation and expansion of the conflict."

Zaki noted that being in the Arab region "may make us, more than others, aware of the devastating effects of wars and the use of military force and its consequences, especially the extremely negative humanitarian consequences."

The official called for engaging in international action to end the current political and diplomatic crisis, which is the best way to address the situation and restore stability and achieve security for all.

"We hope, under these dangerous circumstances, that each party will bear its responsibility and that all efforts will be focused on sparing civilians from the consequences of the deteriorating security situation," said the assistant.

He emphasized the need for everyone to respect international humanitarian law and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those who need it, especially in light of Ukrainian refugees continuing to arrive in neighboring countries.



France to Host Syria Meeting with Arab, Turkish, Western Partners in January

This aerial view shows people celebrating the ouster of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, around the New Clock Tower along Quwatli Street in the center of Homs on December 18, 2024. (AFP)
This aerial view shows people celebrating the ouster of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, around the New Clock Tower along Quwatli Street in the center of Homs on December 18, 2024. (AFP)
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France to Host Syria Meeting with Arab, Turkish, Western Partners in January

This aerial view shows people celebrating the ouster of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, around the New Clock Tower along Quwatli Street in the center of Homs on December 18, 2024. (AFP)
This aerial view shows people celebrating the ouster of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, around the New Clock Tower along Quwatli Street in the center of Homs on December 18, 2024. (AFP)

France will host a meeting on Syria with Arab, Turkish, western partners in January, said France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Wednesday.

The meeting will be a follow-up to the one held in Jordan last week.

Speaking in parliament, Barrot added that reconstruction aid and the lifting of sanctions in Syria would depend on clear political and security commitments by the new authorities.

The new Syrian transition authorities will not be judged on words, but on actions over time, he stressed.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkiye's Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed that the transition in Syria should be respectful of the rights of all communities in the country, the French presidency said after the leaders spoke by phone on Wednesday.

"They expressed their wish that a peaceful and representative political transition, in accordance with the principles of resolution 2254, respectful of the fundamental rights of all communities in Syria, be conducted as soon as possible," an Elysee statement said, referring to a United Nations Security Council resolution.  

Barrot added that fighting in northeastern Syrian cities of Manbij and Kobane must stop immediately.

France is working to find deal between Turks and Kurds in Syria’s northeast that meets interests of both sides, he revealed.

Macron made clear in his call with Erdogan that Kurdish Syrians needed to be fully-integrated in political transition process, continued the FM.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces must be part of the political transition process, he urged.