UN Transcripts — https://transcripts.un.org/en/sc/10129 Cooperation between the UN and the League of Arab States in maintaining international peace and security - Security Council, 10129th meeting — Security Council — 2 April 2026 Language: en Automatically generated transcript — may contain errors. Not an official United Nations record. --- UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [0:02]: The 10,129th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is: Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security. League of Arab States. The agenda is adopted. In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Egypt to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations; and His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of items 2 of the agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2026/261, a letter dated 30th of March 2026 from the Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting a concept paper on the item under consideration. I now give the floor to Mr. Khaled Khiari. UN Secretariat · ASG · Khaled Khiari [2:50]: Mr. President, Your Excellency Abdullatif Rashid Al Zayani, members of the Security Council, I'm grateful for the opportunity to brief the Council today on cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. I'm also honored to address the Council alongside His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. Cooperation between the two organizations is long-standing. We continue to strengthen this partnership at every opportunity. It remains indispensable across a number of regional files. This cooperation is especially important at a time when the Middle East is facing multiple and overlapping crises. These crises are causing immense human suffering, civilian casualties, and serious disruption beyond the region. In this context, the role of regional organizations as envisaged in Chapter VIII of the Charter is more essential than ever. Ending the conflict in Middle East is in the vital interest of the international community. Their consequences are already grave, and the destruction and suffering continue to grow each day. The Secretary-General has repeatedly called for an immediate end to the current war. He has also called on the parties to recommit to a diplomatic track that addresses the security and concerns of all affected parties, including countries in the region. To this end, the Secretary-General has appointed Jean Arnault as his personal envoy to lead United Nations efforts on the conflict in the Middle East and its consequences. I'm certain that the League will be a key partner in the personal envoy's work. Its support will be essential to advancing peace in the region for the benefit of its people and the wider world. Mr. President, in the occupied Palestinian territory, the immediate priority remains clear: to consolidate the fragile ceasefire in Gaza and turn this narrow but important opening into irreversible progress. That progress must support stabilization, recovery, and a credible political horizon towards a viable two-state solution. We support efforts to implement Security Council resolution 2803 which endorsed the US comprehensive plan. In this context, close cooperation between the United Nations and the League remains vital, for both supporting Gaza's recovery and for sustaining regional and international attention to the broader political, humanitarian, and protection challenges across the occupied Palestinian territory. The situation in Lebanon is also dire. Tensions are rising, including along sectarian lines, and Israeli evacuation orders have triggered mass displacement. We appreciate the League's continued solidarity with Lebanon and its consistent call for the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. We also value its support for the state exercise exclusive authority across all Lebanese territory. We are equally grateful for the League's support to the flash appeal launched by the Secretary-General in Beirut on 13 of March. In Syria, the United Nations continue to engage closely with the government and with members of the League. Our aim is to support Syria's recovery from the devastating legacy of conflict and to promote an inclusive, Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political transition. In Libya, deep institutional divisions and unilateral actions continue to undermine unity and long-term stability. With the support of the League and other partners, we are advancing a political roadmap to overcome the stalemate. We also welcome the League's continued engagement on Sudan, including through the Quintet mechanism in support of coordinated peace efforts. Close collaboration between our two organizations remains essential to advancing a coherent and unified international approach towards securing an end to the fighting and establishing a future political process. In order to mitigate the ongoing political challenges in Somalia, the Federal Government should continue to pursue inclusive dialogue with all federal member states and with the opposition. This will be essential to reaching a broad-based consensus on key state-building priorities. That effort will require coordinated political and financial support from the international community. It will also require sustained and well-coordinated regional and international engagement, including through joint United Nations plus coordination and support. This is vital to enable Somalia to safeguard its stability and state-building gains. Mr. President, what unites all of these files is the need for sustained regional and international coordination. In each case, the partnership between our two organizations strengthens political engagement, reinforces collective diplomacy, and supports more coherent responses to conflict, humanitarian needs, and recovery. In this regard, I would like to highlight the League's hosting of the 16th biennial United Nations-League of Arab States sectoral meeting last November. The meeting provided an important opportunity for focused discussions on the women, peace and security and youth, peace and security agendas, on children in armed conflict, and on humanitarian aid. In July, we will convene the 17th biennial United Nations-League of Arab States general cooperation meeting in Geneva. This will be a critical forum for both organizations to review the full range of cooperation and help ensure coordination across all sectors, including political issues, and identify cost-saving synergies as well as new opportunities to strengthen our joint efforts. We look forward to further deepening this partnership in the years ahead for the benefit of the peoples of the Arab region and beyond. Thank you, Mr. President. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [9:01]: I thank Mr. Khiari for his briefing. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Arab Group · SG · Ahmed Aboul Gheit [9:18]: My dear brother and friend, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, President of the Council for this month. It gives me great pleasure at the outset to extend my sincere congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month and to express my deep appreciation for the important role it is playing in the work of the Council. I also commend your efforts in placing this high-level meeting at the top of the Council's agenda during your presidency, which reflects your genuine commitment to strengthening the bonds of cooperation and coordination between the League of Arab States and the Security Council, particularly in light of the difficult circumstances and escalating challenges facing the region and the world. The convening of this meeting at such a highly complex moment sends an important signal regarding the need for the Security Council to fully shoulder its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security. The Arab League and its member states have a firm conviction that the Security Council must be the true and natural refuge for all states that face aggression, attack, or threats to their security and sovereignty from any party whatsoever, and that this Council has both the authority and the capacity to rectify situations and support states under aggression in protecting their security and sovereignty, thereby reinforcing conditions of peace, stability, and security worldwide in accordance with its primary responsibility under the Charter. We are convinced that enhanced cooperation with the Security Council is not an option but a strategic necessity dictated by the intertwined nature of the threats facing the Arab region, as you all clearly observe. Experience has demonstrated that the League of Arab States is an active and reliable partner, working tirelessly with you to support efforts toward the political settlement in a number of Arab situations seized and led by the UN. This is an embodiment of the spirit of Chapter VIII of the Charter and a reflection of the vital role of regional organizations that are best suited to understand the specificity and complexity of the crises in the region. The Arab region, Mr. President, regrettably faces today a serious and unprecedented challenge in both its severity and impact. Regrettably once again, Iran continues its daily attacks with missiles and drones against a number of Arab states in a blatant and egregious violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the Charter of the United Nations. The League of Arab States reiterates its full and strongest condemnation of these deliberate and reckless Iranian attacks on the Gulf states, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Republic of Iraq. These deliberate and unlawful attacks have targeted civilian objects and critical civilian infrastructure, including airports, ports, hotels, energy facilities, industrial sites, food security infrastructure, service locations, residential areas, as well as diplomatic and consular premises, resulting in the loss of innocent civilian lives and extensive material destruction. These Iranian attacks cannot be accepted or justified under any pretext or claim. Cannot be accepted or justified under any pretext or claim, especially since Arab states have maintained a policy of good neighborliness and have clearly declared their rejection of war against Iran and their refusal to allow their territory or airspace to be used as a launching ground for such a war. We support all efforts aimed at the immediate cessation of the war and the Iranian attacks. We stress here before your Council that the continuation of these attacks in clear violation of Security Council resolution 2817 of March 11th, 2026, places on the Council the responsibility to take measures that compel Iran to cease immediately and unconditionally these attacks. We hold Iran fully responsible for all consequences arising from these attacks in accordance with the Charter and international law. I wish to point out here that these Iranian attacks also constitute a grave violation of basic principles of morality, good neighborliness, and human rights. They will only serve to deepen hostility and undermine prospects of future relations based on cooperation and good neighborliness. In this regard, the League of Arab States welcomed the adoption by the Human Rights Council on 25th of March 2026 of a resolution addressing the human rights implications of these unlawful attacks. The League also condemns in the strongest terms Iranian actions and measures and practices aimed at closing the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting international navigation, or threatening the freedom of navigation in Bab al-Mandab and international waters. We call upon Iran to immediately cease all attacks against commercial vessels and to refrain from any attempts to impede lawful passage or undermine freedom of navigation in accordance with international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. We support in this regard the Bahraini initiative to secure the adoption of a Security Council resolution on this matter. We commend the flexibility demonstrated by the Kingdom of Bahrain in the negotiation process and we look forward to the adoption of the resolution at the earliest opportunity. We call on countries which supported resolution 2817 of March 11th, 2026, to support this resolution in the hope that this will help to halt the Iranian violations and transgressions that threaten energy security, navigation, and commercial movement in the Arabian Gulf and the world at large. Mr. President, dear brother, since its establishment 80 years ago, the League of Arab States has made sustained efforts to confront attempts by Iran to exercise what amounts to a right to intercept over freedom of passage through this vital strait. The League has long been a frontrunner in warning of the threats posed by this conduct to maritime security and energy supplies. We recall here the repeated Arab warnings delivered before this Council concerning the attacks on Saudi oil installations in 2019, the sabotage of Saudi and the Emirati commercial vessels at the same year, and the drone attack on Abu Dhabi airport in 2022. Warnings that were regrettably not given the seriousness they warranted at the time. The Strait of Hormuz crisis has once again revealed to the world the extent of the inextricable link between Middle Eastern security and the interests of the global economy. Sustainable and comprehensive security in the Middle East is a global necessity, not merely a regional concern. Mr. President, no discussion on strengthening cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States can be complete without addressing the question of Palestine, which remains at the forefront of Arab priorities. Despite the relative calm achieved in Gaza, the humanitarian situation in the strip remains extremely dire, indeed worsening, and requires urgent and effective international action. The Arab League condemns Israel's expansionist settlement policies in the West Bank, which constitute a flagrant violation of Security Council resolutions. They undermine in a complete and probably a final manner the two-state solution and they are a violation and clear breach of international law. In this regard, we warn of a clear and escalating Israeli plan aimed at achieving de facto annexation of the West Bank through unprecedented acceleration of settlement activity and the shameful tolerance of Israeli settler terrorism, which has intensified in frequency and brutality against unarmed Palestinian civilians. The occupying power has recently adopted racist legislation, including the recent serious law permitting the execution of Palestinian detainees. Sustainable stability in this region cannot be achieved without granting the Palestinian people their full rights. There is no alternative to the two-state solution, which enjoys universal international consensus and which would see the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of 4 June 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital. Mr. President, in Lebanon, the Arab League condemns the Israeli airstrikes targeting civilian objects and state facilities and strikes on residential areas in the capital, Beirut. We warn of the severe risks posed by the occupying power's plans to expand its attacks on Lebanon. The League affirms its full solidarity with the Lebanese state in all measures it takes to exercise its sovereignty over its entire territory. We support the decision of the Lebanese Council of Ministers of March 2nd, 2026, imposing an immediate ban on Hezbollah's military activities and enforcing the exclusive control of arms by the state and its legitimate institutions. Mr. President, throughout the past year, the League has continued its efforts to play an active role in supporting peace efforts in Sudan, stemming from its regional responsibility and its commitment to preserving the stability, safety, and territorial integrity of its member states. Throughout the evolution of the Sudanese crisis, the League has worked to coordinate political initiatives and to engage closely with international and regional partners, including, foremost among them, the UN and the African Union, and to promote multilateral action through the Quintet mechanism with a view to facilitating an inclusive Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue leading to the resumption of the transitional process as soon as the ongoing war comes to an end. From 8 to 10 March, the League hosted a productive round of discussions between the Quintet mechanism and a number of Sudanese civilian and political stakeholders. The League affirms its rejection of any arrangements that would undermine Sudan's unity or threaten its territorial integrity, and the League refuses any parallel structures to state institutions. We encourage all Sudanese parties to reach a political settlement that leads to the formation of an elected civilian government and to the collection and consolidation of arms under the authority of the state. The League calls upon the Security Council to work jointly to support efforts to secure a ceasefire and to back the political track in a manner that contributes to restoring security and stability and meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people. The League of Arab States reiterates its firm position in safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia and in firmly rejecting any attempts to alter the status of Somalia's northwestern region or to impose a fait accompli outside the framework of the international legitimacy. The League condemns the unprecedented unilateral recognition by the Israeli occupying power of the so-called Somaliland, considering it a blatant violation of international law and relevant resolutions of international legitimacy and an encroachment upon Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which would undermine regional peace and security and threaten the stability of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. The League reaffirms its full support for Somalia's efforts to combat terrorism and strengthen the role of the Somali state as an effective national entity capable of exercising its authority throughout its territory. The League welcomes the adoption by the Somali parliament in March of the country's final constitution and its entry into force, as this is an important step toward completing the building of state institutions and entrenching the rule of law. The League also values Somalia's constructive role through its membership in the Security Council in advancing multilateralism and serving Arab and African causes. Mr. President, we also follow with the United Nations other important matters and situations concerning the situations in Libya, Yemen, and Syria. And the League works as much as possible, and sometimes under extremely complex political circumstances, to assist all parties in adhering to political pathways that lead to resolving the ongoing crises, including the current crisis in the Gulf. Mr. President, I address this esteemed Council in what is my final statement before the conclusion of my term as Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. I have been in this role for 10 years. I must take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and appreciation and profound gratitude to my dear friend Antonio Guterres, who will also leave office at the end of this year. His tenure has witnessed unprecedented phases of global challenges in which multilateralism was severely tested. Nevertheless, this dear friend, he steered the international multilateral action with wisdom and competence, guided by a sound vision, acumen, and unwavering moral compass that contributed to preserving the role of the United Nations amid fierce storms. Mr. President, the framework of cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States constitutes a key pillar in confronting the growing global challenges, which now encompass intertwined health, environmental, and economic dimensions, in addition to the rise of terrorism, extremism, and challenges related to food and water security and the impacts of climate change. All of these are interconnected factors that directly affect the stability of states and societies and require comprehensive and integrated approaches that enhance effective response and crisis prevention capabilities. The Arab League reaffirms its commitment to strengthening its engagement with the United Nations in advancing the settlement of Arab issues before this Council through developing avenues of cooperation with the Secretary-General's representatives working on regional conflict files and by drawing upon qualified Arab expertise with a deep understanding of the social and cultural specificities of Arab societies. Such should enhance the effectiveness of international initiatives and ensuring they remain aligned with the realities of the region. Being aware of the cultural aspect and the crises in the region is very important, Mr. President. In conclusion, mistaken is the one who believes that military solutions exist for the crises in our region. What these crises share is an urgent need for sustainable political solutions based on respect for the right of peoples to self-determination, the sovereignty of states, and the integrity of their territories and on strengthening national institutions. This necessitates closer coordination between the Security Council and the League to ensure more effective and equitable response to crises. We in the League want the Council to be effective, free from bias or double standards. There is no alternative to such a role if we are to see a world governed by the principles of law and justice and not by unilateral policies or the logic of force and coercion. Thank you, Mr. President. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [1:00:23]: I thank His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit for his briefing. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Your Excellencies, I am honored to take part in this meeting at the beginning of the presidency of the Kingdom of Bahrain of the Security Council for the month of April. This is based on its firm commitment to supporting the principles of the United Nations, promoting multilateral action and consolidating security and stability at the regional and international levels. At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to my brother, His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, for his valuable briefing. I would also like to thank His Excellency Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific in peacebuilding, for his important presentation on the prospects for advancing cooperation between the two organizations. As you are well aware, Arab issues continue to feature prominently on the Security Council's agenda. Here we stress that promoting cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is no longer only a priority but has become an urgent necessity and a political and legal commitment to preserving the principles of the Charter of the UN, preventing the exacerbation of crises and promoting regional stability. Your Excellencies, our meeting today comes in light of the current challenges in our region. We continue to face a dangerous escalation as a result of the ongoing illegal Iranian attacks on a number of Arab countries, including the Kingdom of Bahrain, in a flagrant violation of sovereignty and a direct threat to regional and international security. In this context, and based on the responsibilities of the Security Council towards the maintenance of international peace and security, the Kingdom of Bahrain has submitted a draft resolution on the protection of the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. We look forward to its adoption. This would reflect the unity of the international community in addressing threats to one of the most vital waterways for global trade and energy security. The adoption of this draft would reaffirm the collective resolve to ensure respect for the rules of international law, protecting the freedom of navigation and deterring any attempt to disrupt or threaten it. Your Excellencies, UN Security Council resolution 2817 sponsored by 136 member states, as well as UN Human Rights Council resolution of the 25th of March 2026, adopted unanimously and sponsored by 115 member states, both reflect a firm international position in condemning these unjustified attacks. They demand that Iran immediately stop these attacks and stress the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and ensure freedom of navigation. Here we stress the importance of the Security Council continuing to carry out its responsibilities in addressing these attacks, ensuring accountability and maintaining security and stability in the region. The Iranian attacks in the Arab Gulf region have repercussions that go beyond the borders of the targeted countries. They affect the security and stability of the entire region. In this context, we call on Iran to stop supporting and arming its affiliated militias in Arab countries and to refrain from any practices that would threaten the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, in accordance with the rules of international law and towards maintaining international peace and security. We also call upon the international community to take appropriate measures to ensure Iran's compliance with the provisions of international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2817, and to desist from all actions that undermine regional security and stability. This would contribute to creating an enabling environment for sustainable political solutions and enhancing collective security in our region. Your Excellencies, despite the unprecedented challenges, Arab states have strengthened regional cohesion and expanded their international partnerships. Their role in supporting effort to settle crises by peaceful means has been highlighted, which practically embodies the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations to enhance cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. It confirms that achieving sustainable peace requires close integration between international legitimacy and regional ownership. In this context, the importance of further developing the partnership between the United Nations and the League of Arab States in a way that enhances the ability of both sides to effectively respond to current challenges and contributes to the consolidation of regional security and stability is paramount. This partnership is manifested in the need to intensify effort to prevent conflicts and reduce tensions and de-escalate, as well as promote political endeavors leading to sustainable peaceful settlement, as well as give priority to the protection of civilians and humanitarian response, ensuring respect for the provisions of international humanitarian law and ensuring the safe, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and promoting the role of UN agencies as they shoulder their humanitarian responsibilities. This role is particularly important in Palestine, where the United Nations, through its organs and agencies, remains an essential pillar in providing humanitarian support, protecting civilians, and maintaining the presence of the international community in the path of seeking a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian question on the basis of the two-state solution and international legitimacy resolutions. In this context, we stress the importance of intensifying international effort to end the war in the Gaza Strip and achieve a sustainable ceasefire in line with Security Council resolution 2808, as well as the plan of His Excellency President Donald Trump of the United States of America to end the conflict in Gaza, as well as the outcomes of the first meeting of the Peace Board as a pivotal platform for dialogue, action and implementation. That contributes to coordinating international efforts for the reconstruction of Gaza. This would contribute to achieving early recovery and promoting long-term stability. We also stress the importance of pushing for a credible political path leading to a just and comprehensive peace for the Palestinian question, building a future based on security, hope and opportunity, as well as addressing the root causes of conflicts in a way that lays the foundation for a real and sustainable peace in the Middle East. Your Excellencies, in conclusion, we affirm that achieving sustainable peace requires coordinated collective action based on an effective partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations that is based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as responding to the challenges of the present and anticipating the requirements of the future. We also stress that the Kingdom of Bahrain is committed to continuing to play its role in a constructive and responsible manner during its membership of the Security Council, in a way that enhances regional and international security and stability and contributes to the consolidation of an international order based on law, justice and cooperation. I thank you. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you. I resume my function as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of Somalia. Somalia [1:10:36]: Mr. President, allow me at the outset to express my deepest thanks to His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani, Minister for Foreign Affairs, for holding this important meeting on the cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, which reflects our collective commitment to promote multilateralism to fight growing challenges facing our region. Allow me also to express my appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit for his valuable briefing and for his continued contribution to promoting the current partnership between the two organizations during his long years of service. In this vein, my delegation would like to congratulate His Excellency Dr. Nabil Fahmy on his appointment as Secretary-General for the League of Arab States and who will start his mandate on the first of July. We wish him all success in promoting collective Arab work and in supporting efforts to promote security, stability and development in the Arab region. Mr. President, Somalia believes in the vital role played by regional organizations in line with Chapter VIII of the Charter in support of international efforts to maintain international peace and security. This prove, this embodies the cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States and gives a good model of institutional comprehensiveness to promote effectiveness when dealing with complex and intertwined challenges facing our region and the world. In light of the current developments and geopolitical complexities in the world, there is a need to promote coordination between the United Nations and the League of Arab States to confront these continuing conflicts, including in Palestine, the Sudan, Yemen, Libya, Syria and Lebanon, as well as to counter emerging threats including terrorism, organized crime, cyber attacks and the targeting of vital infrastructure. Mr. President, promoting preventive diplomacy and early warning mechanisms is a cornerstone in preventing conflict and alleviating their repercussions. We stress the need to promote institutional cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, including promoting coordination between the special envoys and the representative of the Secretary-General to address regional crises. We also stress the need to promote collective efforts to fight cross-border challenges, including fighting terrorism, violent extremism, trafficking in persons and fighting also disinformation campaigns and hate speech because this can destabilize the world and peace. Mr. President, humanitarian crises in the Arab region continue to require a coordinated and effective response, especially in light of the growing humanitarian needs and growing displacement. Somalia expresses deep concern regarding the latest developments in Syria and Lebanon, including the attacks and Israeli repeated violations, as well as the reports on the targeting of areas in southern Lebanon and threatening the safety and security of UN personnel, UNIFIL. This destabilizes the region and exposes civilians to grave threats. We also stress the need to respect the sovereignty and unity of Lebanon and Syria. It is important to fully adhere to relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 1701 and stop all acts that could lead to escalation or could expand the conflict in the region. We also emphasize the need to support collective efforts to ensure that humanitarian assistance is delivered in a safe and unimpeded manner while giving special attention to the most vulnerable, including women and children as well as refugees and while protecting humanitarian workers and UN employees. We also emphasize the need to support efforts to achieve stability in brotherly Sudan through diplomatic efforts and by providing the necessary humanitarian support to provide a conducive environment for sustainable peace. Mr. President, the security of international navigation is essential in maintaining global economic stability and the safety of supply chains. We note Security Council resolution 2817 which stresses the need to ensure the safety of maritime navigation and commercial trade to stop the volatility in international markets and address challenges related to food and energy security. We express our concern regarding the growing escalation in the region despite adoption of resolution 2817 which threatens the stability and security of the region and puts civilians and civilian infrastructure at grave risk. We also call for de-escalation, restraint and the protection of civilian and civilian infrastructures. We also call for the respect of international law, including ensuring free navigation, especially in the Strait of Hormuz. We also stand in solidarity with GCC states and stress the need to intensify diplomatic efforts and provide a conducive environment to reach political sustainable solutions in order to maintain regional and international security and stability. Mr. President, the current challenges require a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of conflicts and that promotes the ability of regional institutions to address crises effectively in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We reaffirm our firm support for a just and comprehensive peace in the region, including reaching a just and durable sustainable solution for the Palestinian question based on the two-state solution in line with resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative in order to end the occupation and achieve the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people in establishing an independent state on the lines of 1967 with East Jerusalem with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital in order to ensure security and stability for all the peoples of the region. In light of the recent growing developments in the occupied Palestinian land, we stress the need for the immediate cessation of hostilities and an immediate ceasefire while ensuring an unimpeded delivery of assistance and respect for international humanitarian law, including protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and providing a conducive environment for a serious political track that could lead to a just peace. Mr. President, partnership between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is a cornerstone in multilateralism. It reflects the need for institutional work in fighting common challenges. By promoting coordination and cooperation we can achieve tangible process towards peace, security and sustainable development in the region. In conclusion, Mr. President, we stress our firm commitment to continue supporting cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States in order to build a more stable and prosperous future for the region. We also appreciate the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain for proposing the presidential statement on the cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, which reflects a collective commitment to the promotion of multilateral partnerships and supporting efforts for the maintenance of international peace and security. Thank you, Mr. President. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [1:20:45]: I thank the representative of Somalia for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan. Pakistan [1:21:00]: Mr. President, honorable Foreign Minister, Pakistan welcomes and expresses its deepest appreciation to you for convening and chairing this important high-level meeting which complements the session this morning with the GCC and I thank you for your comprehensive statement. Let me also thank ASG Khaled Khiari for his briefing. And we also extend our sincere gratitude to the Secretary-General of the Arab League, His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit, for his personal presence and for his briefing reflecting a noble vision and enduring wisdom from one of the great political and diplomatic minds in the Arab world. At this critical juncture the League of Arab States' role is more vital than ever in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by the Middle East and the broader region. And in that context we commend the fearless and principled leadership of His Excellency Aboul Gheit during his tenure as the Secretary-General of the Arab League and we wish him all the best. President, at a time of heightened geopolitical volatility, the importance of effective multilateralism and meaningful mutually reinforcing partnerships between the United Nations and regional organizations cannot be overemphasized. While the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security remains with the UN Security Council, regional organizations operating under Chapter VIII play an important complementary role. Pakistan firmly believes that durable peace requires coordinated, inclusive and regionally anchored responses. The League of Arab States, one of the oldest and most prominent regional organizations, has long advanced peace, security and development in the Arab world through conflict prevention and resolution, humanitarian assistance and development cooperation underwritten by global partnerships. Pakistan highly values its historic and deep-rooted ties with the Arab world based on shared faith, history and values. We strongly support the League's efforts to foster dialogue and cooperation and promote peaceful resolution of disputes. Mr. President, the challenges outlined in the presidency's concept note for this meeting reflect a deeply concerning trajectory in the Middle East, North Africa and various regions of the world. Ongoing conflicts, violation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, disregard for international humanitarian law and attacks on critical infrastructure threaten regional and global stability. These developments underscore the urgent need for strengthened cooperation, preventive diplomacy and collective security mechanisms. A key priority for the League, for this Council and indeed for Pakistan is the resolution of long-standing disputes, particularly those arising from foreign occupation and the denial of the right to self-determination. The League has played a leading role in addressing the unresolved question of Palestine that remains at the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict, perpetuating instability, shaping dynamics, fueling grievances and undermining prospects for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Peace that still evades us till this day. The Palestinian people continue to endure illegal Israeli occupation, dispossession and the denial of their inalienable rights. We hope the ongoing international efforts will lead to a time-bound and irreversible political process anchored in relevant UN resolutions, culminating in the establishment of a sovereign, independent and contiguous state of Palestine on the basis of pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. This remains the only viable path to durable peace in the region. Israel must vacate its illegal occupation of all Arab territories, including in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon and cease its aggressive and rogue behavior. Many other situations on the Council's agenda, from Libya to Sudan, Yemen and Somalia, pertain to the Arab world and in order to effectively address them, the Council can benefit from the synergies and close cooperation with the League of Arab States. And that is why, Mr. President, Arab and OIC representation is so important at this table, for it enables them to safeguard their vital interests and make their contribution for the maintenance of international peace and security, all along upholding justice, international law and international legitimacy. President, the broader region stands at a perilous crossroads following the strikes on Iran. Gulf members, our brothers, members of the Arab League are facing direct attacks on their soil, totally unacceptable, while also grappling with the challenges posed by restricted navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. With these tensions comes the growing risk of a wider escalation with potentially far-reaching consequences. Against this already dire backdrop, further escalation must be avoided at all costs. The immediate priority must be a complete cessation of all hostilities and return to dialogue for peaceful resolution of all issues. Together with our other partners, Pakistan is actively engaged in promoting this objective. Resolution 2788 adopted last July reflects this Council's commitment to preventive diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes. Its implementation remains critical to advancing our collective efforts towards peace and stability. Mr. President, the strengthening cooperation between UN and the League of Arab States is essential to address shared challenges, including terrorism, organized crime, climate change, cyber threats and disinformation. Effective partnerships must also bridge capacity gaps and ensure sustainable financing. We also encourage enhanced engagement between the League of Arab States and other regional and cross-regional organizations such as the OIC, the Economic Cooperation Organization and ASEAN. The path to lasting peace lies in dialogue, cooperation and respect for international law and the UN Charter. Strengthening partnerships between the United Nations and the League is not merely desirable, it is indispensable. Let me assure the leadership of the Arab League and all our colleagues that Pakistan will continue to work with them in tandem to address the many challenges that confront us and this Council. I thank you. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [1:28:28]: I thank the representative of Pakistan for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the United States. United States of America [1:28:41]: Thank you, Foreign Minister Al Zayani. Also, thanks to ASG Khiari and Secretary-General Aboul Gheit. Thank you, sir, for their briefings and welcome the presence of the League of Arab States at this dialogue with the Security Council. The League of Arab States can and should play an important role in addressing conflicts that afflict its member states and their regional neighbors. Consider Gaza. President Trump's comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict, which this Council endorsed in resolution 2803, has demonstrated the way forward to a stable, safe, and prosperous Middle East. Ambassador Waltz, myself, and President Trump have been heartened to see the progress that has already been made in implementing resolution 2803 and the courage that many members of the League of Arab States have shown to counter the scourge of terrorism and charge toward a better future for the region. The United States will continue to work with Israelis and Palestinians to build on that progress. Our team was recently in Jordan. The reopening of the King Hussein Bridge and the humanitarian corridor through Jordan show just how important practical, results-oriented cooperation is for peace. Jordan's good work has helped dramatically increase the flow of assistance into Gaza and provides a model for others. Countries in the region, including League of Arab States members, must continue to step up to support those efforts and take advantage of this moment to advance toward a peaceful and prosperous future. The United States looks forward to working with members of the League of Arab States to expand the Abraham Accords and promote greater regional integration for this generation and all those who come after. That means tackling regional challenges head-on, now and together. The ongoing crisis in Yemen and Houthi attacks against Americans, Yemenis, and other regional partners continue to destabilize the region. The Houthis have killed Americans, stopped lawful commerce, repeatedly raided UN offices, and detained UN and international aid staff. Even now, the Houthis have unlawfully detained more than 70 UN staff under absurd charges and have launched missiles and drones at American ships, service members, and allies. These terrorists are dragging this land, a land known once by merchants as Arabia Felix, or fortunate Arabia, a land known for its wealth and prosperity, down a path of suffering and poverty. We welcome steps by the Republic of Yemen government to unify security forces under one command, capable of focusing on the Houthi and other terrorist threats, as well as to form a new cabinet capable of ensuring a more secure and stable Yemen. Colleagues and Mr. President, the crisis in Sudan is different, but just as urgent. There is no military solution to the crisis in Sudan. Continued fighting will only fracture Sudan further and risk permanent state collapse, further threatening international peace and security. That is why we are continuing to press for an immediate humanitarian truce that guarantees sustained and unhindered humanitarian access. We are working closely with the UN on options to support implementation and coordination of the humanitarian truce and its humanitarian access commitments. The League of Arab States has an important role to play in pressuring the belligerents to accept the truce. Likewise, we welcome the League of Arab States' productive statements on Libya, where the American people desire unity, stable stability, and sovereignty. All of us share an interest in seeing Syria achieve stability, prosperity, and peaceful relations with its neighbors. We urge the League of Arab States to take up the mantle of practical leadership, regional responsibility, and a sustained commitment to peace and stability. The United States will continue supporting the efforts of the League of Arab States and the United Nations to draft the region's next chapter, one which we expect emphasizes peace, friendship, and prosperity. Thank you, Mr. President. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [1:33:44]: I thank the representative of the United States for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Panama. Panama [1:33:59]: Thank you, Mr. President. Panama would like to thank the presidency for convening this meeting, and we appreciate the valuable statements made by the Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Khaled Khiari and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit. We recognize the presence of the representative of Egypt that is participating in this meeting today. Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States constitutes a concrete example of the potential of multilateralism to face challenges and promote sustainable solutions that benefit international peace and security. On the basis of Chapter VIII of the Charter, Panama recognizes that this partnership is essential to advance in the prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of collective security. Panama reaffirms its staunch support to the respect for sovereignty, political independence, and the territorial integrity of all Arab states. These are fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, and an indispensable basis for stability and peace in the region. Panama would like to reiterate its staunch support and solidarity with Arab countries that have been the target of recent attacks that they do not deserve and are the consequence of a war that they did not begin and that they do not wish to continue. These cruel attacks have put at risk the safety and tranquility of the civilian population as well as the stability and the functioning of essential critical infrastructures. We recognize and we value the decision of these states to act with restraint and to avoid a greater escalation, which reflects a responsible commitment to regional stability and the preservation of peace. This type of behavior, based on prudence and the respect for international law, constitutes an example of the kind of leadership that the region demands today. This is why it is crucial to avoid any action or decision that could be counterproductive, inflame tensions, or put at even greater risk regional stability. Panama calls for a cessation of hostilities in all conflicts that are affecting the region, and we reiterate that violence only deepens divisions and exacerbates the suffering of civilian populations. We insist that diplomacy, dialogue, and political solutions must prevail as the only sustainable path to resolve conflicts in full respect of international law. In this context, Panama recalls and reaffirms its support to relevant resolutions of this Council, including resolution 2803 of 2025 on the situation in Gaza and resolution 2817 of 2026 on maritime security in the Gulf, as well as current efforts geared towards stabilizing Syria, Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia, as well as the strengthening of state institutions in Lebanon. Likewise, it is essential to redouble our efforts and our cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, violent extremism, and transnational crime through the promotion of information exchanges, capacity building, and effective coordination between the United Nations and the League of Arab States in order to face these threats in a comprehensive manner. This is why it is absolutely essential that these processes continue to be guided by respect for the sovereignty, the territorial integrity, and the political independence of states. Mr. President, Panama deeply values its historic relationship with Arab countries, and we express our solidarity with them given the current difficult circumstances to which they have been exposed in a terrible manner. We reiterate our willingness to continue strengthening relationships based on mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared commitment to peace and development. We reaffirm our conviction that a closer cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States will continue to be crucial to face current challenges and build a future that is more just, sustainable, and secure for the region and the world. I thank you. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [1:39:20]: I thank the representative of Panama for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Democratic Republic of the Congo. Democratic Republic of the Congo [1:39:35]: Mr. President, we welcome the conduct of today's meeting, which is a fruit of the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to bring before the Security Council an in-depth consideration of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. Building upon the deliberations of this morning, my delegation believes that enhancement of this cooperation is of critical importance, not only in light of the growing complexity of crisis, but also due to the rapidly evolving threats to international peace and security. My delegation wishes to thank Mr. Khaled Khiari as well as His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit for their substantive briefings and the perspectives that they have shared with the Security Council. Mr. President, the multidimensional crises which are currently afflicting the Arab region, particularly Palestine and Yemen, are a heavy burden for civilians. They are undermining prospects for lasting stability. This is compounded by mutating threats with growing use of asymmetric means, including missile and drone strikes, cyber operations, as well as the targeting of critical infrastructure. These developments reflect the need for coordinated and cohesive responses, bringing together the political security, humanitarian and development dimensions. Amid this particularly challenging environment, the DRC calls for a renewed collective commitment to conflict prevention, to de-escalation, as well as to peaceful dispute resolution, strictly in accordance, naturally, with international law. In that vein, my delegation recognizes the critical role of regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security in accordance with the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. The cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is a paragon of integration between regional and international institutions, which helps to more effectively tackle the myriad challenges faced by the region as well as the entire international community. We would note, when it comes to the management of cross-border challenges, note the signing several months ago of a memorandum of understanding between the United Nations and the League of Arab States with the purpose of strengthening cooperation in counter-terrorism, in countering organized crime, in countering trafficking in human persons. Moreover, in line with enhanced strategic cooperation, we must not overlook the facilitation role of the liaison office of the United Nations with the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt. And I wish here to stress the ongoing relevance of cooperation between the United Nations and the Arab League, which continues to contribute decisively through the buttressing of preventive diplomacy, contribute to mediation and coordination between envoys and special representatives of the two organizations. In this regard, the DRC reaffirms our commitment to the core tenets of international law, international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations. We are guided by respect for the sovereignty of states, for their territorial integrity, as well as the principles of peaceful dispute resolution and that of non-use of force. To that end, we emphasize the importance of heightened horizontal cooperation between regional and subregional organizations. In that regard, close cooperation and a pooling of efforts between the League of Arab States and the African Union, particularly vis-à-vis crisis management which concerns member states of both organizations, this can help to change the situation. The context in Libya and Sudan clearly reflect the need for such coordination. Lessons drawn from past crises, particularly in Libya, are a striking reminder of the limitations of attempts to resolve conflicts through force and stress the importance of embracing inclusive political processes and diplomacy, shepherded by regional organizations and stakeholders. The proliferation of transnational threats, including disinformation, hate speech, attacks targeting critical infrastructure, requires that there be better coordinated collective responses. Institutional capacity building, crisis preparation and the development of resilience mechanisms should therefore be prioritized when it comes to cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. In that vein, the DRC is of the view that certain contexts can serve as yardsticks by which to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the partnership between the UN and the League of Arab States. Current circumstances in Syria, as well as the implementation of resolution 2803, in this regard, generate meaningful opportunities to show the ability of the two organizations to operate in a coordinated, pragmatic and results-oriented way. By way of conclusion, the DRC wishes to welcome, in turn, through the efforts to improve coordination, to welcome the convening of the 17th general meeting of cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, scheduled to be held in Geneva in July 2026. This meeting will be geared towards establishing a biennial framework to foster concerted initiatives in a number of sectors, including peace and security. We continue to firmly believe that strengthening the partnership between the United Nations and the League of Arab States will be an important source of additional leverage when it comes to tackling emerging threats, preventing escalation of crisis and promoting more coherent regional and international responses. Thank you. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [1:47:50]: I thank the representative of Democratic Republic of the Congo for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of France. France [1:48:03]: Thank you, Mr. President, and once again I would like to welcome Your Excellency to New York. Mr. President, I thank the ASG for political affairs, Mr. Khaled Khiari, as well as His Excellency the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Aboul Gheit, whom I also wish to welcome in New York, and I wish to thank them for their statements. In a region that has been afflicted by war, cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States is of critical importance. First and foremost, in light of the regional escalation, the joint mobilization of the Security Council and the Arab League represents leverage for the advancement of the cause of peace. Our partners in the Arab League are threatened today, and a number are directly targeted by the conflict by attacking its neighbors. Iran shoulders grave responsibility. The country is pursuing a strategy of escalation of the conflict, which builds upon its policy of destabilizing the region. The Security Council has managed to react with resolution 2818 in light of the unacceptable blockage of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran. It is incumbent upon the Security Council to promptly set up a necessary defensive response. Hezbollah has adopted the reckless choice to join Iranian attacks against Israel, dragging Lebanon into a conflict which the Lebanese people did not choose. We call upon Hezbollah to lay down its weapons in accordance with a decision taken by the Lebanese government on 2 March and for Israel to cease this operation. Attacks targeting civilians and attacks targeting UNIFIL are unacceptable. The engagement of Leagues of Arab League states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt, are a valuable source of support for the sovereignty and the Lebanese government and Lebanese armed forces, who can count on France's support. We applaud Syria's decision not to engage in the conflict in an approach reflecting responsibility and restraint. We are seeking to establish relations, friendly relations with all neighbors. Syria is seeking to establish friendly relations with neighbors while working toward a national reconciliation with all strata of society. France calls upon all partners to generate transformation for Syria, to provide the support that it needs, to shore up its unity, to vanquish terrorism and to accelerate its recovery. Mr. President, preservation of the two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, living in peace, peace and security within the internationally recognized borders, remains a shared priority of this Council and of the Arab League. This situation requires vigilance and mobilization in Gaza. The Security Council supports implementation of phase two of the peace plan as well as implementation of resolution 2803. In light of the humanitarian emergency, we call upon Israel to facilitate unimpeded assistance delivery and to respect the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, including UNRWA. The disarmament of Hamas, which representatives of the Board of Peace and Mediators are working toward, is of urgent importance. France condemns accelerated settlement activity in the West Bank. Violence, settler-led violence conducted in complete impunity targeting Palestinian civilians jeopardizes implementation of the two-state solution. France recalls the need to preserve the historic status quo in Jerusalem, specifically when it comes to the holy sites. As the Arab League has played an important role in the conference on the two-state solution in the New York Declaration, we wish to recall the fact that this blueprint, which was largely endorsed by the international community, is designed to guide our action. Mr. President, cooperation between the United Nations and the Arab League buttresses the effectiveness of the efforts to combat transnational threats, first and foremost the terrorist threat, and the quest for solutions to regional conflicts. France is determined to continue to combat the deadly scourge of terrorism regardless of where it manifests itself. We engage in the international coalition against Daesh. We support the efforts of all countries afflicted by this scourge. We support diplomatic efforts to end the conflict ravaging Sudan and destabilizing the entire region. Mr. President, to conclude, France applauds the appointment by the Secretary-General of the United Nations of a personal envoy tasked with leading United Nations efforts related to the conflict in Middle East, which is inextricably linked through history and human ties to the member states of the Arab League. France is determined in that regard to work together with the UN, the Arab League and all regional stakeholders to meet the aspirations of the peoples and the countries of the region: peace and human development. Thank you. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [1:53:41]: I thank the representative of France for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Greece. Greece [1:53:52]: Thank you, Mr. President. Let me start by welcoming Mr. Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and thank Mr. Khaled Khiari for his thorough briefing. My country and the Arab world share deep traditional ties of friendship and partnership. Geography and culture have tied us throughout history. Our shared vision for regional prosperity and lasting peace will continue to guide and strengthen our partnership into the future. In this context, we remain committed to advancing enhanced cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States in full accordance with Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. Your Excellency, colleagues, an overview of the volatility and turmoil in the Middle East provides ample evidence for the need of sustained engagement between the UN and the League of Arab States as pioneers of multilateral cooperation. No single actor can address today's mounting and increasingly complex security challenges, particularly in one of the world's most volatile regions, as we discussed this morning, addressing the cooperation between the UN and the Gulf Cooperation Council. We thus fully support deepening the cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States and are delighted to serve alongside Bahrain and Somalia, members of the League, in the Security Council. Let me start by reaffirming also in this format and in no uncertain terms and without ambiguity our strong condemnation of the recent attacks against the Gulf states. Turning to the Middle East peace question and following up on the breakthrough of the adoption of the comprehensive 20-point peace plan, it is imperative that we follow through with the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolution 2803. Its provisions must be translated into concrete action on the ground, with full respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians. The decommissioning of Hamas and other armed groups, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid at scale, and the revival of a credible political process towards the realization of a two-state solution in line with relevant UN resolutions and the New York Declaration, all remain essential in laying the groundwork for sustainable peace. The status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem must be respected under all circumstances. We were concerned that the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem was prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate the Catholic Palm Sunday, and we hope that the Israeli authorities will guarantee an adequate process in view of the upcoming Easter celebrations. Turning to Lebanon, one comes across a country facing an acute risk of being trapped in the flames of the regional escalation. We fully condemn Hezbollah's reckless and unjustifiable attacks against Israel, which caused a broader escalation in Lebanon. Greece calls for maximum restraint to prevail and is opposed to protracted ground operations. We call for the respect of all civilians, including journalists and medical personnel, who must be protected at all times, and call on Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon within a reasonable timeframe in the immediate future. Strengthening Lebanese state institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, is a prerequisite for consolidating the sovereignty of Lebanon throughout the country and ensuring long-term security for both Lebanon and Israel. We also condemn in the strongest possible terms the targeting of peacekeepers, echoing the concern expressed by the Secretary-General following the death of UNIFIL blue helmets. Finally, Mr. President, Syria has certainly witnessed progress over the past year, albeit serious challenges remain, as the latest incidents in the predominantly Greek Orthodox city of Al-Suqaylabiyah show. We have followed this incident closely and with great concern. We note the Syrian government's announcement of a thorough investigation and call for its swift implementation and presentation of the results. Greece fully supports a peaceful and inclusive transition that will safeguard the rights of all Syrians, irrespective of religious or ethnic background. Christians in particular remain a historic and integral part of Syria's diverse society, the recovery of which we are ready to support. Mr. President, across this complex context, from Gaza and the West Bank to Lebanon and Syria, our collective efforts must be guided by unity of purpose and strengthened cooperation. Sustained engagement with regional actors, important partners, including the League of Arab States, will be crucial to our efforts. We remain firmly committed to working with all Council members and with our partners in the League of Arab States to advance our common objective of promoting peace, security and stability for all. Let us not miss this opportunity. The world is watching. I thank you. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [2:00:35]: I thank the representative of Greece for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Latvia. Latvia [2:00:46]: Thank you, Mr. President. I welcome the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, to this meeting, and I thank him and Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for their comprehensive briefings. Mr. President, for decades, the United Nations and the League of Arab States have enjoyed a strong and well-developed partnership. With the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, it is ever more important to strengthen the foundation of this cooperation and reinforce joint efforts to promote peace and stability across the region. The League of Arab States and the UN have common challenges and common objectives. The Gaza peace plan, firmly supported by Arab and Muslim countries and endorsed by this Council in resolution 2803, creates a clear framework for stability, reconstruction, and self-sustaining governance in Gaza. Its implementation is a joint task of this Council, the League of Arab States, and the international community. We need to reinforce efforts to end the cycle of violence in Gaza and the West Bank, consolidate the ceasefire, and use this opportunity to pursue the political perspective of the two-state solution. With the wider Middle East already in flames, Hezbollah and Houthis are dragging Lebanon and Yemen into a conflict that does not serve the interests of their people, but only those of Iran and their proxies, and this is our joint task to prevent that. We acknowledge the remarkable progress of the new Syria. The international community's solidarity and support to Syria's inclusive political transition, reconstruction, and transitional justice must continue and be reinforced. As the current escalation in the wider region creates additional risks for the fragile stabilization of Syria, we must secure that recent gains are preserved. Sudan serves an example where the League of Arab States, together with the United Nations, the African Union, IGAD, and the European Union, has an important role to play. We support the continued efforts of the Quintet to secure humanitarian truce, advance de-escalation, and help promote a space for an inclusive civilian-led political process. And our joint efforts are also needed to implement the political roadmap in Libya, advancing a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process that would lay the foundation for the country's internal stability. And these are only a few examples. Mr. President, the cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States can be further strengthened through numerous avenues of joint interest and development. Today I would like to mention three of them. As a coastal state, Latvia continues to stand for maritime security, freedom of navigation, and protection of the marine environment. We all stand to benefit from the UN and the League of Arab States' strong cooperation in the maritime domain, addressing common challenges and ensuring safe, sustainable, and secure shipping environment. Now, Iran's deliberate attacks against its neighbors and the civilian infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which threatens the global trade, energy supplies, and agricultural production, is unacceptable. By weaponizing this crucial route for its own gain, Iran is harming countries and populations that have no part in the conflict. Freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be ensured immediately, and we, as members of this Council, must send a strong and united message. Second, the current escalation in the wider Middle East is highlighting the impact of new technologies in the conflict environment. AI-powered technology is transforming not only military domain, but also opposing new challenges to information integrity as it becomes a tool for disinformation and information manipulation. Meanwhile, digital infrastructure, including commercial data centers, are becoming a high-value military target. Sharing expertise on these developments could help derive valuable lessons, helping increase resilience across regions in the digital age. And third, we welcome the continued collaboration between the UN and the League of Arab States on the women, peace and security agenda. Guided by the regional action plan, its implementation is based on clear and focused parameters that foster women's political and socio-economic participation and enhancing women's rights and security. To conclude, Mr. President, Latvia is a firm supporter of effective multilateralism in order to address global and regional challenges with the Charter of the United Nations at the core. In this light, Latvia firmly supports strengthening the cooperation between the UN and the League of Arab States and stands ready to contribute in this regard. I thank you. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [2:06:18]: I thank the representative of Latvia for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [2:06:30]: Thank you, President. I thank ASG Khiari and Secretary-General Aboul Gheit for their briefing today. And in particular, I pay tribute to Secretary-General Aboul Gheit for your dedication and commitment to the role over the past 10 years, and I wish you the best for the future. The United Kingdom welcomes this discussion on cooperation between the UN and the League of Arab States. It is a moment of acute regional tension. The League of Arab States remains a vital partner in advancing dialogue, de-escalation, and regional stability, and we commend its continued efforts to promote peaceful solutions. Iran's actions have driven dangerous escalation across the Gulf, with direct consequences for regional stability and global security, and increasing humanitarian cost across the region. Iran's attempts to obstruct the Strait of Hormuz are imposing growing economic costs, not only on the Gulf, but on countries across the globe. It is right that the international community does all it can to support a return to stability, as our partners in the region continue to defend their sovereignty and their economies. The UK is doing so through defensive operations to protect our partners and rallying 37 countries in a collective call to condemn Iran's actions and to work together to reopen the strait. Today, the UK convened over 40 international partners to begin work on a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. We welcome the Council's efforts, including through resolution 2817, to forge a united response to uphold regional and maritime security, and to call on Iran to immediately cease its egregious actions. President, while attention is focused on ending the regional escalation, it is also important that we do not lose sight of the wider humanitarian and political and security challenges across the region, including in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Sudan. The work of the League of Arab States is essential to providing longer-term solutions which can pave the way for lasting regional stability. The United Kingdom will continue to champion coordination between the League and the United Nations, which can make a significant contribution to tackling regional security and development challenges. I thank you. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [2:09:18]: I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of China. China [2:09:31]: Thank you, President. I thank ASG Khiari and Secretary-General Aboul Gheit for their briefings. The League of Arab States is a vital platform for Arab countries to foster unity and strengthen cooperation, and it plays a unique role in regional and international affairs. Over the years, the UN and the League have continuously deepened their partnership, committed to maintaining stability in the Middle East and upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China supports the UN in furthering its cooperation with the League in accordance with the spirit of Chapter VIII of the Charter to jointly promote regional peace and development. I make three points. First, we must adhere to a political solution for lasting peace and stability. The Middle East is the region with the highest concentration of global hotspots and has long suffered from the ravages of war and the hardship of displacement. The history in the Middle East has told us that the use of force is not the answer. A political solution is the only viable way forward. Arab nations possess unique advantages in addressing issues in the Middle East, both in terms of geographical proximity and deep historical and religious ties, as well as the wisdom of peace rooted in their ancient civilization. The international community should support the League and Arab countries in actively engaging in conflict prevention and mediation. Relevant UN entities, SG's special envoys and special representatives should strengthen communication and coordination with Arab countries for better synergy. The Security Council must take seriously the views of the League and support the resolution of regional issues through regional mechanisms. Second, we must focus on development and revitalization and advocate for international cooperation. The Middle East serves as a geopolitical hub connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. It is rich in resources and holds immense potential. The UN should strengthen cooperation with Arab countries, promote economic diversification and transformation, support sustainable development, and help the Middle East become a key engine of global economic growth. As an important part of the Global South, Arab countries should be supported in playing a greater role in international affairs, jointly addressing global challenges, upholding and practicing multilateralism, and advancing the development of a more just and equitable global governance system. Third, we must oppose external interference and strengthen strategic autonomy. The Middle East has long been mired in turbulence, due not only to its complex historical background, but also to external powers pursuing geopolitical rivalry. The Middle East belongs to its people. It is not an arena for major power competition. The international community should fully respect the independent choices of the people of the Middle East, take seriously the legitimate concerns of regional countries, and support Arab nations in resolving long-standing and traditional differences, strengthening unity and cooperation, and exploring development paths suited to their national conditions so that they can firmly hold their future and destiny in their own hands. President, tensions in the Middle East are escalating and the conflict is rapidly spreading across the region. The rights and wrongs of the situation are very clear, and the international community should maintain an objective and an impartial position. This is a war that should never have occurred. Its continuation will only result in more casualties and unnecessary losses. The most urgent priority is to bring military operations to an immediate end so as to prevent further escalation and spillover. All parties should actively promote reconciliation and dialogue, seize the opportunity for peace, and work together to bring the war to an end. The Palestinian issue has always been at the heart of the Middle East conflict. The two-state solution remains the only viable path toward resolving this issue. Any alternative arrangements or newly established mechanisms must adhere to the principles of a Palestinians governing Palestine and should promote instead of undermine the two-state solution. China welcomes the efforts made by the League and Arab countries to advance the resolution of the Palestinian issue and will continue to firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, as well as their early realization of an independent state. President, relations between China and Arab countries have a long history, spanning East and West along both the land and maritime silk roads for more than a thousand years. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Arab countries. Over the past seven decades, China and Arab countries have stood shoulder to shoulder through hardships in the struggle for national liberation, pursued win-win cooperation amid the tide of economic globalization, and upheld principles of justice in a challenging international landscape, together writing a remarkable chapter of East-West connectivity, mutual learning, and mutual support. This year, the second China-Arab States Summit will be held in China. China stands ready to work with Arab countries to take this opportunity to deepen strategic mutual trust, strengthen mutual support, share development opportunities, enhance international cooperation, advance the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future, and make greater contributions to peace and development in the Middle East. Thank you, President. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [2:15:28]: I thank the representative of China for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia. Colombia [2:15:40]: Thank you, Mr. President. Excellency, welcome to this session of the Council. Colombia welcomes the convening of this briefing, and we would like to thank the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Khaled Khiari, for their statements. Mr. President, in a context that is characterized by prolonged conflicts and growing risks of regional destabilization, Colombia agrees that strengthening effective cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is essential to move to coordinated, comprehensive, and sustainable responses to the diverse challenges that the region is facing. Persistent crises in Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Lebanon, Syria, and the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as threats from radical extremism and challenges to maritime security, highlight the need to adopt complementary and preventive approaches that integrate the political, humanitarian, development, and security dimensions. Colombia welcomes the recent appointment of Mr. Jean Arnault as the personal envoy of the Secretary-General for the conflict in the Middle East and its consequences. A more structured cooperation among special envoys of the United Nations and the political and diplomatic mechanisms of the League of Arab States is essential to achieve a more integrated and consistent response, avoid duplications, and maximize the impact of preventive diplomacy. Mr. President, in light of these general thoughts, Colombia considers it relevant to refer to specific situations where the contribution of the Arab League is vital. First, the lasting and just solution for the issue of Palestine is indispensable for peace and stability in the Middle East. Colombia reaffirms its unshakable commitment with the Palestinian people and the defense of its inalienable right to self-determination. The only viable path is the two-state solution, which demands the end of the occupation, effective respect of the ceasefire, and the beginning without any conditionalities of the reconstruction of Gaza. Moreover, we must stop and reverse the settlement policy, and violence must not be incited in the West Bank, preserving the continuity and integrity of the Palestinian territory. In this context, the League of Arab States is a fundamental ally to advance this cause. Second, we underline the need to redouble our efforts in coordination with regional actors to contribute to stability and avoid a deterioration in the situation in Lebanon. My delegation condemns the constant Israeli attacks, including those against civilian infrastructures, which go beyond the stated security objective and constitute a violation of international law as well as of the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Lebanon. In this context, Lebanon requires the firm support of the international community and regional solidarity. Third, the situation in Sudan continues to be deeply worrisome and demands immediate efforts geared towards de-escalating hostilities and effectively protecting the civilian population. It is indispensable to preserve firm and coherent calls that contribute to peace and stability in the country, specifically in those regions that continue to be affected by the conflict, such as Darfur or Kordofan. Fourth, Colombia recognizes the constructive role of the League of Arab States to support the efforts of the transitional government in Syria to consolidate the country's recovery and reconstruction. Mr. President, to conclude, Colombia recognizes the constructive role played by the League of Arab States, and we value their mediation, political support, and humanitarian efforts. Its capacity to interact with key players in the region makes it an indispensable partner to advance sustainable solutions based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the rights of affected populations. In this sense, we also recognize the leadership and contribution of Bahrain and Somalia, member countries of the League of Arab States, in this Council. Thank you very much. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [2:20:20]: I thank the representative of Colombia for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark. Denmark [2:20:32]: Thank you, Mr. President. Your Excellency Foreign Minister Al Zayani, we commend your presence here again and Bahrain's commitment to strengthening cooperation and regional organizations. I also wish to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari and His Excellency Secretary-General Aboul Gheit for the informative and useful briefings. Ahlan wa sahlan fi Majlis al-Amn. Denmark also welcomes the agreement on the adoption of the presidential statement, and we thank Bahrain for its efforts in this regard. Mr. President, Denmark supports strengthening strategic cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and the League of Arab States in addressing regional threats and advancing peace, security, and stability. We welcome the upcoming 17th general cooperation meeting between the UN and the League of Arab States to be held in July 2026 to advance the biennial framework. We also support the ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations, including advancing the women, peace and security agenda and on children and armed conflict. The Arab region is facing evolving challenges and transnational threats as we witness further destabilization of an already volatile and intense situation with grave consequences for the region and beyond. Cooperation with the League of Arab States is even more critical. We support the proactive engagement of the League of Arab States on a range of matters, including those of the agenda of this Council, from early warning and prevention to peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and sustaining peace. Mr. President, this morning, the Council focused on the grave impact on de-escalation in the Gulf on regional peace and security. As the conflict enters its second month, the consequences for the Middle East and beyond are expanding rapidly. In Syria, over 200,000 people have crossed the border from Lebanon due to this crisis, adding to the millions already in need of humanitarian assistance in the country. We recognize the efforts by the Syrian transitional government to avoid direct involvement in the regional conflict, but it remains essential to prioritize the continued implementation of the comprehensive agreement between the Syrian transitional government and the Syrian Democratic Forces and to continue efforts to combat Daesh. In Lebanon, more than 1.1 million people, including over 350,000 children, have been displaced, and over 1,200 people killed and over 3,000 wounded since just this past month. We strongly condemn Hezbollah's attacks against Israel that risk dragging Lebanon into a broader regional war against the will and interest of the Lebanese government and the Lebanese people. Denmark is concerned with the significant humanitarian and civilian consequences of Israel's military operations in Lebanon and underline that all military actions must be conducted with full respect for international humanitarian law, including the principles of proportionality, distinction, and precaution. In the occupied Palestinian territory, we are deeply concerned by the drastic rise in settler violence in the West Bank and the continued expansion of settlements. We reiterate that Israel's settlements are clear violation of international law and call on Israel to change course. In Gaza, we must continue to work towards the full implementation of the peace plan as endorsed by this Council, including ensuring safe, sustained, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. We need a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question. We must see progress towards a two-state solution and a future of peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike. Mr. President, in closing, while this Council bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, it does not hold a monopoly on the efforts to achieve it. Regional organizations play a critical role. A close partnership between the United Nations and League of Arab States is essential to resolving conflicts and securing lasting peace and prosperity across the region. Denmark looks forward to continue our close cooperation with the League of Arab States, including through the European Union, and welcome the ministerial meeting of the League of Arab States and the European Union in June. I thank you. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [2:25:11]: I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation. Russian Federation [2:25:24]: Once again, we wish to welcome your participation, Mr. Minister, in today's meeting in your capacity as the President of the Security Council. We thank the Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for their assessments and considerations. The Russian Federation at the United Nations has always championed a greater role for regional organizations on matters which directly pertain to their region. The unique understanding of mindsets, culture, history, tradition, the knowledge of political specificities and interests of various groups allows the Arab League to produce balanced solutions which are geared towards eradicating the root causes of conflict and the achievement of peace and prosperity in the Arab world. We believe it is important to maintain regularity for the Security Council meetings on cooperation with the League of Arab States. They are useful not just in terms of providing information, but also in terms of demonstrating the cohesion of Arab states in the face of common global and regional threats. We support the adoption by the Security Council of the presidential statement on cooperation with the League of Arab States. We always approach these documents in a constructive way. We believe they are important component of cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States. Today, when virtually the entire region of the Middle East and North Africa is engulfed in an endless succession of conflict, buttressing multifaceted cooperation between the UN and the League of Arab States is becoming a pressing necessity. Key features of cooperation in accordance with Chapter VIII of the UN Charter include matters related to upholding collective security, countering new threats, as well as resolving crises within the Middle East-North Africa region. A prominent role in this conflict is played by something established in 2019. I refer to the UN-LAS liaison office in Cairo, which was established in 2019 and we support its activities and we hope that it will continue to work effectively. We also support the conduct of annual informal meetings of the Security Council with the membership of the LAS, which allows not just for consideration of current thorny issues in the region, but also allows for a discussion of joint efforts on conflict early warning. We concur with the justification for maintaining proactive dialogue between the League of Arab States and the special representatives and envoys of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the Arab region. Moreover, amid the heightened tensions in a number of Arab-African countries, we believe it is necessary to expansion trilateral coordination between the UN, the League of Arab States and the African Union. Mr. President, against the backdrop of the current escalation in the region, which has been spawned by the aggression conducted by Israel and the US targeting Iran, the restraint of Arab states plays an important role. They have always demonstrated a wise, long, far-sighted policies which led them to produce economic miracles in the Middle East. We firmly condemn any attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects for which there is no justification whatsoever. We call upon all stakeholders to promptly ceasefire and to return to the negotiating table. The Russian Federation, which supports constructive relations with all countries in the region, stands ready to do everything possible to help to bring this about. Nor must we overlook the alarming situation on the occupied Palestinian territory where, notwithstanding the efforts of mediators, Palestinians continue to be killed. There are ongoing restrictions targeting imports of humanitarian assistance and the question of the full-fledged recovery of Gaza is being saddled with conditions. We voice our deep concern in light of the adoption by the Knesset of a bill which allows for death penalty sentences targeting West Bank residents for West Bank residents. In light of evidence about the brutal treatment of Palestinian detainees in violation of due process for these individuals, which representatives of the UN Secretariat reported on to the Security Council repeatedly, in light of that, this above-mentioned measure has direct repercussions for the already fraught situation in the West Bank. We urge West Jerusalem to refrain from such steps and rather to focus on resolving issues related to settler-led violence, settlers which in a number of cases are already even attacking Israeli police personnel. We reaffirm our principled support for the resumption of the peace process on the universally recognized international legal basis, including the two-state solution, with the aim of establishing an independent and viable state of Palestine within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, co-existing in peace and security with Israel. We also wish to separately draw attention to the alarming situation in Lebanon where, due to the US and Israel's war against Iran, a full-blown confrontation has broken out and that has claimed the lives of more than 1,500 people. We supported a Security Council press statement which was adopted at the initiative of France and demands the conduct of a prompt investigation into the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers who were serving under UNIFIL, the UN International Interim Force in Lebanon. We trust that the perpetrators will not avoid justice, that there will be accountability, and that the deaths of blue helmets will not be classified as collateral damage. We call upon all parties to the conflict to return to implementation of the November 2024 agreement on the cessation of hostilities as well as to revert back to implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. To conclude, we wish to voice our readiness to facilitate stabilization of the situation in the region, both in our national capacity and collectively, including through cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. We will continue to enhance constructive cooperation with the Arab League on relevant international and regional problems. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [2:32:21]: I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Liberia. Liberia [2:32:36]: Thank you, Your Excellency. Liberia thanks the Assistant Secretary-General of the UN and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States for their very thoughtful briefings. We welcome the continued engagement of the League of Arab States in the works of the United Nations, particularly in matters of peace and security. In this regard, we pay homage to the Secretary-General of the League for his leadership and service to that important regional body over the years. Mr. President, we understand today's debate to be an invitation to reflect, not only on cooperation in principle, but on cooperation in practice. In a fragmented international environment, which is marked by protracted conflicts, humanitarian distress, and eroding trust, the relationship between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, as already indicated by ASG Khiari and other speakers before me, is indispensable. Liberia recognizes and reaffirms the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to live in peace, dignity, and security of all states, including member states of the League of Arab States. We also re-emphasize our continued commitment to the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the most enduring path to lasting peace. Mr. President, the League of Arab States occupies a unique space in the multilateral landscape. It is at once political, cultural, and historical in character. And anchored in shared language and identity, it operates across a region that has become one of the principal theaters of global insecurity. This dual character gives the League a form of convening power that no external actor, however well-resourced, can replicate. We congratulate the League for its exceptional leadership and continued contributions to global peace and security, and wish to highlight the following reflections. First, UN-LAS cooperation must be centered on political solutions, not permanent crisis management. Too often, international engagement in the region has treated instability as a condition to be managed rather than resolved. The League's proximity to conflict dynamics, local actors, and societal pressures positions it as a critical partner in shaping credible, inclusive political pathways, whether in mediation, dialogue facilitation, or post-conflict transition. Second, legitimacy matters, but also does trust. The United Nations brings normative authority through the Charter. The League of Arab States brings regional ownership. When these two forms of legitimacy are aligned, peace efforts gain traction. However, when they are disconnected, even well-intentioned initiatives will struggle. Cooperation must therefore be grounded in mutual respect, clear mandates, and sustained consultation, particularly at early stages of crisis management. Third, humanitarian action and political engagement must reinforce one another. Across the Arab region, humanitarian crises increasingly spill across borders, affecting international peace and security. The League's engagement with national authorities and regional institutions can help bridge the persistent gap between emergency response and longer-term stabilization. For Liberia, this integration reflects lessons learned from our own recovery, where peace held only when humanitarian action was paired with political rebuilding. Fourth, youth and social cohesion deserve greater attention within UN-LAS cooperation. The region's demographic realities are not a looming risk; they truly are a present factor shaping peace and instability alike. Marginalization, unemployment, and exclusion create fertile grounds for conflict, but they also offer an opportunity for renewal if properly addressed through coordinated investment, governance reform, and broader participation. A partnership that overlooks these dimensions risks treating symptoms while ignoring causes. Fifth, cooperation must be consistent across institutions, not episodic across crises. Strategic dialogue between the United Nations and the League of Arab States should not be activated only when emergencies erupt. It should be routinized, forward-looking, and connected to early warning, preventive diplomacy, and peacebuilding tools. Prevention, after all, is less visible than response, but it is far more effective and far more sustainable. Mr. President, Liberia knows that regional organizations can play decisive roles when empowered, coordinated, and trusted. Earlier this morning, and we say again, that in West Africa, collaboration between the United Nations and regional bodies demonstrated that peace is strongest when those closest to a conflict are part of its solution. The challenge before us, therefore, is not whether the United Nations and the League of Arab States should cooperate. It is whether the cooperation is sufficiently bold, coherent, and sustained to meet the moment we are currently faced with. Liberia believes that the Security Council has a responsibility to ensure that regional partnerships are not treated as secondary mechanisms, but as strategic assets in the maintenance of international peace and security. Let's be clear: if multilateralism is to remain credible, it must be cooperative. If peace is to be durable, it must be inclusive. And if our partnerships are to be meaningful, they must deliver results on the ground. In conclusion, Mr. President, Liberia stands ready to support a stronger, more structured, and more purposeful relationship between the United Nations and regional bodies, especially the League of Arab States, a relationship that reflects shared responsibility and shared resolve. I thank you for your kind attention. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [2:41:19]: I thank the representative of Liberia for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt. Egypt · Arab Group [2:41:33]: Mr. President, Your Excellency Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, it is my honor on behalf of the Arab Group and extend our sincere congratulations to the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We are confident in your wise leadership of the Council's proceedings. We also welcome His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and we welcome the briefing provided by His Excellency Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General. We commend the convening of this important session to enhance cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, particularly in a highly complex regional and international context. This reaffirms the growing need to strengthen mechanisms for multilateral action and to cultivate effective partnerships between the United Nations and regional organizations, which constitute a fundamental pillar in supporting international peace and security, given their precise understanding of the specific dynamics of their respective regions. In this context, the Arab Group stresses that strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is no longer a mere institutional option, but rather a strategic imperative dictated by the interconnected challenges confronting our region and the world, specifically to stop wars, support conflict prevention and resolution, peacebuilding and reconstruction, enhance coordination in responding to humanitarian crises, build institutional capacities, combat terrorism and extremism, and promote cooperation on development issues, including food and water security, climate change, and other crises. Mr. President, in light of the recent grave regional developments, the Arab Group wishes to make the following points. One, we condemn the heinous and unjustified Iranian attacks against the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Republic of Iraq. These attacks constitute a blatant act of aggression against the sovereignty of these states, a threat to their security, an unacceptable targeting of their safety and stability, and a flagrant violation of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, and the principles of good neighborliness. We underscore the right of the targeted states to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. Two, we emphasize that the Security Council's adoption of resolution 2817 reflects the collective will of the international community to protect state sovereignty and maintain international peace and security. We call upon Iran to promptly implement the resolution, immediately cease all forms of aggression against Arab states, and refrain from any provocation or threat against neighboring countries, including through the use of proxies. Three, we condemn Iran's provocations and measures, including those aimed at closing the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting international navigation or threatening freedom of navigation in Bab al-Mandeb and international waters. We call upon Iran to immediately cease all attacks against commercial vessels and refrain from any attempts to impede the lawful passage or undermine freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as freedom of navigation constitutes a fundamental principle of international law, including as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We call upon the international community to take appropriate measures and contribute to the necessary efforts to ensure safe navigation through the strait. We commend the flexibility of the Kingdom of Bahrain when negotiating the draft resolution on the safety and security of navigation in line with international law. We look forward to the adoption of the final draft as soon as possible or at the earliest opportunity. Four, we emphasize our support for Lebanon's unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as the need to extend the full authority of the Lebanese state over all its territory. This is essential to strengthen state institutions and maintain national security and stability. We welcome the decision by the Lebanese government to ban all security and military activities by Hezbollah and confining its operations exclusively to the political sphere within constitutional and legal frameworks and to ensure state monopoly over arms through its legitimate institutions, particularly the Lebanese army and official security forces, in line with the Lebanese constitution and relevant international resolutions, especially Security Council resolution 1701 and the Taif Agreement. We also support the measures undertaken by the Lebanese government to safeguard Lebanon's security and stability. We call upon the international community to bring pressure to bear on Israel to immediately cease its ongoing attacks on Lebanon, withdraw from all occupied Lebanese territories, and abide by all relevant Security Council resolutions and the cessation of hostilities agreement. Five, the key to achieving security, stability and peace in the region remains contingent upon ending the Israeli occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to attain their legitimate inalienable rights, mainly their right to self-determination, ending the occupation and establishing their independent state along the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as stated in the two-state solution. The Arab Group condemns all illegal Israeli measures in the occupied Palestinian territory, which constitute grave violation of international law and resolutions of international legitimacy. These measures include the expansion of occupation and settlements, settler terrorism, continued military and security operations, and efforts to displace Palestinian civilians from their lands. Furthermore, the group condemns the systematic targeting of humanitarian and civil society organizations, as well as UN bodies, particularly UNRWA. We condemn the imposition of restrictions on the Palestinian Authority and measures related to the land ownership registration and settlement in the occupied West Bank. We also condemn the Israeli Knesset's adoption of a discriminatory law authorizing the execution of Palestinian prisoners, a measure that reinforces the apartheid regime, alongside the imposition of restrictions on freedom of worship. This is a flagrant violation of the historical and legal status quo of Muslim and Christian holy sites, which must be respected in line with the historical custodianship of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan over these holy places. We call upon Israel, the occupying power, to immediately cease all such measures, including systematic attacks against Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territory, to refrain from practices that undermine the vision of President Trump and the international community, which rejects the annexation or occupation of any territory in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and to fully abide by the international law and international humanitarian law, as well as all Security Council resolutions, most recently resolution 2803, including the ceasefire arrangements in Gaza, the opening of crossings, and the safe, full and unimpeded access of humanitarian aid. Furthermore, we call for early recovery and reconstruction throughout the Gaza Strip, leading ultimately to the full Israeli withdrawal from the strip in a manner that serves peace in the region. Mr. President, it goes without saying that comprehensive peace in the region remains contingent upon ending the Israeli occupation of all occupied Arab territories, including the occupied Syrian Golan, and implementing all relevant Security Council resolutions. The Arab Group condemns the repeated Israeli aggressions against Syrian territory and underscores the need to respect its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. We also underscore the need to promote coordination between the United Nations and the League of Arab States to resolve crises in the Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen in implementation of relevant Security Council and League of Arab States resolutions. This should safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of these states and strengthen sustainable stability in the region. In conclusion, Mr. President, the Arab Group will continue to support and promote institutional cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States across various fields. Such cooperation must be responsive to the priorities of the Arab region and reflective of its specificities. It should reinforce the role of multilateralism as a primary framework for maintaining regional and international peace and security. Thank you, Mr. President. UNSC · President · Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani [2:53:08]: I thank the representative of Egypt for the statement. The Council has before it the text of a statement by the President on behalf of the Council on the subject of today's meeting. I thank the Council members for their valuable contributions to the statement. In accordance with the understanding reached among the members of the Council, I shall take it that the members of the Security Council agree to the statement, which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2026/2. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The meeting is adjourned.