THE HAGUE : Oman, delivering a joint statement on behalf of 23 countries, underscored the urgent need to halt all violations involving the use of chemical substances in areas of conflict. The statement, presented by His Excellency Ambassador Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Salem Al Harthy, Oman’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), emphasized that such violations pose a grave threat to global security and stability.

The participating nations expressed deep concern over the use of chemical substances and riot control agents during military operations carried out by Israel against civilians in Palestine and Lebanon. The statement labelled these actions as clear breaches of international law and direct violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention. It also called for Israel’s full compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the rulings of the International Court of Justice.

In addition, the joint statement strongly condemned Israeli attacks targeting government-owned lands and facilities in the Syrian Arab Republic. Addressing both the Palestinian and Syrian issues, the group reaffirmed the importance of the OPCW Technical Secretariat’s continued monitoring of developments on the ground and the prompt investigation of any related violations.

The statement concluded by welcoming recent positive advancements in the Syrian chemical file and commending the ongoing cooperation between the Syrian authorities and the OPCW.

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