Arab foreign ministers have condemned the Houthi escalation and the attacks staged against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
They further stressed the centrality of the cause of Palestine, which tops Arab priorities in line with the international references and the Arab Peace Initiative.
This came during the 155th regular foreign ministerial meeting of the Arab League (AL) Council that was chaired by Qatar and held at the headquarters of the AL General Secretariat in Cairo on Wednesday.
AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit was reappointed for a five-year second term.
During the meeting, Aboul Gheit stressed that the Arab consensus on Palestine and its cause is comprehensive and complete, and does not tolerate any compromise.
“As the new US administration takes over the reins of power, there is a chance to correct this path and launch a real peace process based on international law as a reference,” he said, adding that it shall be aimed at resolving the issue.
“We must prepare ourselves for a long diplomatic struggle to rally global public opinion and attract the international community to our just cause,” he told the Arab FMs, affirming that the solution represents a real and effective key to a comprehensive and sustainable peace in the region.
On the Yemeni issue, Aboul Gheit said Houthis have been carrying out a systematic campaign of escalation in Marib since Feb. 7 to control the city and plunder its natural resources.
The military escalation has led thousands of civilians to flee the governorate, which was a safe haven for more than one million Yemeni refugees, he noted.
The senior official considered the Houthi escalation a “response to Iranian signals and desires and comes in implementation of a reckless strategy that uses Yemen as a negotiating card.”
He held Houthis and those who back them responsible for Yemen falling victim to the world’s most dangerous humanitarian crisis.
Aboul Gheit stressed Arab condemnation of Houthis’ terrorist missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory, confirming the kingdom’s right to defend itself.
He also said the Iranian and Turkish intervention committees met and stressed their rejection of the interferences of neighboring countries in Arab affairs.
Qatari FM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said his country rejects any form of intervention in another country’s affairs, noting that each country has the right to preserve its sovereignty and security.
After meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, Sheikh Mohammed was cited as saying that both countries were keen on a return to warm relations and that the meeting was characterized by a positive spirit and optimism.
He also hailed Al-Ula Declaration, which was issued following the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Saudi Arabia.
“It ended the Gulf crisis that lasted more than the years,” he said, adding that Qatar welcomed this statement based on its firm conviction that dialogue is the only way to resolve differences.
“Ending the crisis and implementing the Al-Ula statement will reflect positively on bolstering Gulf and Arab relations and consolidating regional stability.”
Commenting on the next meeting, scheduled to be held in Algeria, Aboul Gheit said the Algerian Foreign Minister, Sabri Boukadoum, could not attend the current meeting due to the lockdown measures.
However, he noted that the next meeting will be held soon, affirming that all preparations have been made and the date will soon be set and circulated among Arab senior officials.
