Gulf-Arab countries say only political solution can work for Syria

Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan (4th from right) meeting with his counterparts from Gulf Arab states, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. (SPA)
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Updated 15 April 2023
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Gulf-Arab countries say only political solution can work for Syria

RIYADH: Gulf and Arab ministers emphasized that “a political solution is the only solution to the Syrian crisis,” and called for unified Arab leadership on the issue during a consultative meeting held in Jeddah on Friday. 

The meeting was hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and attended by Bahraini Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani, Dr. Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi, and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Saturday detailing the points of discussion following the meeting between foreign ministers from the Gulf and their counterparts from Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan. 

The ministers discussed the efforts made to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves the country’s unity, security, and stability. 

The statement released on Saturday explained that the ministers see a political solution including an Arab leadership role, developing the necessary mechanisms for this role, and intensifying consultation between Arab countries to ensure the success of these efforts. 

The ministers all agreed the humanitarian crisis in Syria urgently needs addressing and that it will be necessary to create a suitable environment for aid to reach all regions of the country.

They also discussed ways to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and displaced persons to their homes. 

The statement stressed the need to rid Syrian territory of militias and to preserve Syria’s sovereignty. 

The ministers also exchanged views on a number of regional issues, including the Palestinian cause and condemnation of illegal Israeli practices that undermine a two-state solution. 

The ministers condemned the recent Israeli attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque. The statement stressed the need to respect the historical importance of the location. 


Israeli military kills Palestinian teenager in occupied West Bank

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Israeli military kills Palestinian teenager in occupied West Bank

  • Israeli settlers in the West Bank also serve in the army, and sometimes carry their weapons with them when off duty

AL-MUGHAYYIR: Israeli forces killed a 14-year-old Palestinian in the occupied West Bank village of Al-Mughayyir on Friday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, while the military said soldiers had responded to stone throwing.

The Ramallah-based Health Ministry announced the death of 14-year-old Mohammed Al-Nassan by Israeli fire in Al-Mughayyir in a statement on Friday.
Shortly after, Israel’s military said its forces had come to the village after Palestinians “hurled stones toward Israelis, set tires on fire and blocked access routes to the area.”
The military said dozens of Palestinians were throwing stones upon their arrival, including one who posed “an imminent threat.”
“The soldiers responded by firing warning shots into the air, followed by fire to eliminate the terrorist,” the military said, adding it had set up roadblocks in the area to search for another suspect.
Amin Abu Aliya, mayor of Al-Mughayyir, said that the army raided the village when people began to exit mosques after Friday prayers.
“This young man (Nassan) was exiting the mosque where he was praying with the people, the military vehicle stopped in front of the mosque, they opened the back door and started shooting at him directly,” Abu Aliya said.
Abu Aliya added that following the incident, the army introduced a curfew for the village, closing all shops and setting up a new checkpoint at the village’s entrance.
He pointed to the heavy military presence in his village in recent months, which he said often protected Israeli settlers who recently set up nearby outposts and took land from Al-Mughayyir farmers.
In September, a settler who the military said was an off-duty soldier shot and killed a 20-year-old who the army said had thrown stones in Al-Mughayyir.
Israeli settlers in the West Bank also serve in the army, and sometimes carry their weapons with them when off duty.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.
Violence there has soared since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war and has not subsided despite the truce that came into effect in October.
Since October 2023, Israeli troops and settlers have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians in the West Bank, according to Health Ministry figures.