Gulf Arab foreign ministers and their counterparts from Egypt, Iraq and Jordan confirmed that “a political solution is the only solution to the Syrian crisis.”
The ministers emphasized the importance of having “an Arab leadership role in efforts to end the crisis in Syria.” They also discussed “the necessary mechanisms for this role” and agreed to intensify “consultations among Arab countries to ensure the success of these efforts.”
- Resolving the Humanitarian Crisis
Foreign ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq held a consultative meeting on Friday hosted by Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Jeddah to discuss efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis.
At the meeting, the top Arab diplomats “agreed on the importance of resolving the humanitarian crisis” in Syria and securing conditions that would allow for refugee returns, according to a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement.
The foreign ministers also condemned Israel’s illegal practices that undermine the two-state solution and the opportunities for achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on it.
The two-state solution ensures an independent and sovereign State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital on the borders of June 4, 1967, in accordance with international legitimacy decisions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Additionally, they condemned Israel’s attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque and its violation of the sanctity of holy places.
They stressed the need to respect the historical and legal status quo at the holy site and maintained that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a purely worship place for Muslims.
The top diplomats asserted that the Jordanian Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department is the authorized body with exclusive jurisdiction to manage the affairs of the mosque and regulate entry into it under the historical Hashemite guardianship of Islamic and Christian holy places in Jerusalem.
- Saudi Support for Syria’s Return to The Arab League
Observers have explained that Saudi Arabia's growing interest in discussing political solutions to the crisis in Syria with Arab countries reflects an increasing realization of the importance of finding a way to end the ongoing conflict.
They revealed that Saudi Arabia would support any Arab agreement to bring Syria back to the Arab League, based on the Kingdom’s commitment to Arab unity and its desire to end the crisis in Syria. Saudi Arabia has been a supporter of finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis since its onset.
- Ending Syria’s Internal Crisis
According to sources, Syria's return to its Arab surroundings would expedite the resolution of its internal crisis, facilitate the return of Syrian refugees, and bolster efforts to combat terrorism and eliminate terrorist organizations. It would also put a stop to drug trafficking and support the preservation of Syria’s sovereignty.
