The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reaffirmed its support for the outcomes of the extraordinary Arab “Palestine Summit” held in Egypt, which endorsed a plan for early recovery, reconstruction, and development in Gaza, as well as the deployment of international peacekeeping forces in Gaza and the West Bank under a UN Security Council resolution.
This was stated by GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi at the opening of the 163rd meeting of Gulf foreign ministers and joint ministerial meetings with their counterparts from Egypt, Syria, Morocco, and Jordan, hosted in Makkah.
Al-Budaiwi strongly condemned the ongoing escalation and violations against the Palestinian people, describing them as a direct threat to their identity and rights. He called on the international community to take responsibility and act to stop these practices, which undermine security and stability.
He also welcomed the Cairo Summit’s decision to hold an international conference for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction in cooperation with Palestine and the United Nations, urging the global community to participate in the initiative to accelerate the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Gaza after the destruction caused by Israeli aggression.
Al-Budaiwi stressed that Gaza’s future must be within the framework of a unified Palestinian state and the implementation of a two-state solution. He also firmly rejected attempts to shift the burden onto Egypt through inhumane and unjust proposals for the forced displacement of Palestinians.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, who chairs the current session of the ministerial council, reaffirmed the Gulf’s unwavering stance against any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.
He described the outcomes of the Cairo Summit as “significant,” highlighting that they reflect unity and a shared commitment to addressing regional and international challenges.
He added that the summit reaffirmed Arab principles in supporting security, stability, and economic integration, advancing development paths to fulfill the aspirations of Arab nations for a brighter future.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty, for his part, noted that the Cairo Summit demonstrated Arab consensus and solidarity in upholding long-standing principles on Palestine, which remains the central issue for the Arab world.
“This provides an opportunity to reaffirm our position in supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and rejecting any plans to displace or relocate them from their land,” he stated.
During the Gulf-Syria discussions, Al-Yahya reiterated the GCC’s position that Syria’s security is an integral part of Arab national security. He stressed the importance of preserving Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity as a key pillar of regional stability.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani emphasized that Syria’s participation in the meeting marked a significant step toward strengthening its ties with Arab states and an opportunity to express Syria’s hopes for peace and stability in the region.
He highlighted that the conference provided a transparent platform to discuss state-building, maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity, and ensuring the rights of all citizens, regardless of political, religious, or ethnic differences.
Al-Shibani also pointed to recent positive steps taken by some European countries, including the partial suspension of sanctions on Syria, describing them as an important move toward economic recovery and national stability. He expressed hope that such exemptions would be expanded to include other critical sectors, particularly reconstruction, humanitarian aid, and economic support, which are essential in this phase.
“Syria today needs your support on political, humanitarian, and economic fronts,” the Syrian minister said, adding: “The backing of our Gulf brothers is indispensable at this stage. We trust that our cooperation will yield fruitful results that contribute to Syria’s recovery and stability.”
