CAIRO: Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, France and Cyprus on Monday expressed their regret over the escalation of violence in Libya, and considered that Turkey’s agreement with the government of reconciliation threatens regional stability.
A joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, France and the UAE said that the latest worrying developments in the eastern Mediterranean were discussed, in addition to a number of regional crises that threaten peace and stability in that region.
The ministers stressed the strategic importance of strengthening and intensifying their political consultations, and praised the results of the Cairo meeting on Jan. 8, 2020, to enhance security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, and expressed their deep concern over the current escalation and the ongoing provocative moves in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Ministers condemned the illegal Turkish movements taking place in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone and its territorial waters, for the apparent violation of international law in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
This is the sixth attempt by Turkey, in less than a year, to conduct illegal excavations within the sea areas of Cyprus.
The ministers also condemned the escalation of Turkish violations of Greek airspace, including flights over populated areas and territorial waters, in violation of international law. Moreover, the ministers condemned the systematic exploitation of civilians by Turkey and the attempt to push them toward illegally crossing the Greek land and sea borders.
They demanded the Libyan parties to commit to a truce during the holy month of Ramadan, and affirmed their commitment to work toward a comprehensive political solution to the Libyan crisis under the auspices of the United Nations, and they expressed their keenness to resume the commitments of the Berlin process, including political, military, economic and financial.
Egypt, UAE, France, Greece and Cyprus condemn Turkey's actions in Libya, Cyprus
https://arab.news/g5vjq
Egypt, UAE, France, Greece and Cyprus condemn Turkey's actions in Libya, Cyprus
UN warns of environmental hazards from Middle East war
- Several oil facilities in Iran were targeted by Israeli strikes Sunday, and Iran has also launched strikes on oil facilities in the region
UN chief Antonio Guterres’s office warned Monday of “serious environmental consequences” from recent strikes on oil facilities and desalination plants in the Middle East, saying they pose significant threats to air quality and drinking water.
“We continue to raise the alarm over the humanitarian impact of escalating violence across parts of the Middle East, which is driving rising civilian casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and growing displacement of people,” the secretary-general’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a press conference.
He added that the United Nations was “particularly concerned by the number of reports of recent strikes on oil facilities, which could have serious environmental consequences across the region, with immediate possible impacts on safe water, on air that people need to breathe, and on food.”
Bahrain’s interior ministry had said Sunday that an Iranian drone attack also damaged a water desalination plant, which is essential infrastructure for the country’s economy and drinking water supplies.
“We reiterate again that all possible precautions must be taken to protect civilians from the impact of hostilities and to avoid damage to health facilities, schools, water systems and other essential infrastructure,” Dujarric said.
Several oil facilities in Iran were targeted by Israeli strikes Sunday, and Iran has also launched strikes on oil facilities in the region.
