The United Arab Emirates on Monday chaired the Council of the Arab League's consultative meeting of permanent representatives, and urged a permanent solution to the Palestinian issue to preserve stability in the region.
Abdul Rehman Al Jarman, Assistant Foreign Minister of the UAE for Political Affairs, chaired the meeting which discussed preparations for the 4th Summit of South American-Arab Countries (ASPA), which will be hosted in Riyadh, the European Union-Arab League Strategic Dialogue, which will be convened in Brussels, Belgium on 25th November, and the Arab-Russian Co-operation Forum, which will be hosted by Moscow in December.
In his opening statement, Al Jarman said the meeting will also discuss important topics like action by the Arab states at the United Nations to demand protection for the Palestinians, to counter Israel's intransigence and reluctance to commit itself to international conventions, and in particular, to the Fourth Geneva Convention, relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
He stressed that it is important to have a pan-Arab alternative plan to back the legitimate demands of Palestinians in international circles.
Al Jarman also stressed the need for taking advantage of the current momentum of international support and initiatives to benefit "the just Palestinian cause" and move towards putting an end to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.
"We are certain that the continued Israeli occupation and lack of settlement for the Palestinian cause through the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the pre-June 1967 borders with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, are the main factors of regional instability. Without finding a permanent and just solution to this issue, the region will continue to suffer chaos, violence and instability," Al Jarman added.
Proposal for emergency meet
The United Arab Emirates has submitted a proposal to the Arab League Council to hold an emergency meeting at the foreign ministers' level on 4th or 5th of November.
This came during a meeting of the Council at the permanent representatives' level, held here and presided over by the UAE.
Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, said at a press conference after the meeting that consultations will be held to decide a date for the meeting.
He added that the proposed meeting would discuss the Palestinian issue and the possibility of developing a mechanism for future actions through the UN Security Council. He also emphasised the need to put an end to the provocative acts committed by Israel in the occupied territories and the need to hold Israel accountable for such violations.
Ahmed bin Hili, Deputy Secretary General of the Arab League, said the Secretary General Dr. Nabil Al Arabi will hold meetings with the Arab foreign ministers to agree on a date to hold the emergency meeting, proposed by the UAE.
He said the meeting will be dedicated to discussing the situation in Palestine, in the light of the escalating aggressions against the Palestinian people in Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque.