MUSCAT : The Extraordinary 45th Ministerial Council Meeting, held on Wednesday, October 2, in Doha, discussed the military escalation and developments taking place in the Middle East.

The Ministerial Council reviewed the dangerous developments and the increasing escalation that destabilizes the security and stability of the region, including those in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, the serious violations in the West Bank, and the threat to Al-Aqsa Mosque and religious sanctities.

The Council condemned the escalation in the Lebanese and Palestinian territories, and warned of the serious repercussions of this escalation, the effects of which are not limited to this region alone, but extend to a wider circle, posing a threat to international peace and security, and undermining of peace and security efforts in the region and the world.

The meeting stressed on the need to protect the security of the region and prevent the expansion of the scope of the war, calling on all parties concerned with this escalation to exercise self-restraint, refrain from violence and give priority to dialogue.

He also called on the international community to assume its responsibilities to maintain security and stability in the region and implement international legitimacy resolutions related to the region.

The Council also stressed the GCC’s support for the people of Lebanon at this critical stage, and called for intensifying international and regional efforts to provide urgent humanitarian support to Lebanon to alleviate the suffering of civilians and protect them from any serious repercussions.

The Council also urged self-restraint, avoiding involvement in regional conflicts, and preventing the expansion of the circle of conflict in the region.

The Council stressed the necessity of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, relevant international resolutions and the Taif Agreement, to restore permanent security and stability in Lebanon, and ensure respect for its territorial integrity, political independence and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders.

The Council further highlighted the GCC’s support for the Palestinian people, affirming its condemnation of the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the West Bank; calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ending the siege imposed on the Strip, and releasing hostages and detainees.

The Council emphasised the importance of opening all crossings immediately and unconditionallu, and ensuring the safe delivery of all relief and humanitarian aid, medical supplies and basic needs to the residents of the Gaza Strip, within the framework of commitment to international law and international humanitarian law.

The Ministerial Council stressed the centrality of the Palestinian cause, ending the Israeli occupation, supporting the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all Palestinian territories occupied since June 1967, and establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital – in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions. The Council called on all countries to complete the procedures for their recognition of the State of Palestine.

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