Bahraini Foreign Minister Addresses OIC Executive Committee, Calls for Peace in the Middle East
Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Executive Committee, at the level of foreign ministers. The meeting, chaired by His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, included the presence of Dr. Riad Al Maliki, the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, and Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the OIC.
During the meeting, Dr. Al Zayani conveyed Bahrain's condolences and sympathy to President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian people in the wake of the Israeli bombing of Al-Ahly Baptist Hospital in Gaza. This attack resulted in the death and injury of hundreds of innocent Palestinians and others involved in the military confrontations in the Gaza Strip. He also expressed wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Dr. Al Zayani expressed concern about the ongoing armed conflict between Hamas and Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip and called on all parties to exercise restraint and bring an end to the war in order to safeguard lives, property, and regional security and stability.
The Minister highlighted the efforts of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, including constructive discussions with UK officials and a meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis in Vatican City. These discussions focused on the need to halt military escalation, prioritize civilian protection, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian relief and medical aid.
Dr. Al Zayani also emphasized the importance of promoting tolerance, human coexistence, communication, and the principles of just and comprehensive peace. He expressed gratitude to the OIC, the Arab League, and other countries for their continuous efforts to end the destructive war in the region, which poses a global crisis threatening international peace and security.
He urged immediate international action to stop the escalation in the Gaza Strip and called on all parties to engage in dialogue and peaceful negotiations to end the conflict and alleviate civilian suffering. Furthermore, he underscored the importance of adhering to international legitimacy resolutions regarding the Palestinian cause and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Dr. Al Zayani called for the UN Security Council to issue a resolution on the escalation, requiring both sides to respect international and humanitarian law. He stressed the Middle East's need for stability, security, and lasting peace, highlighting the importance of dialogue, understandings, and political settlements in accordance with international law and legitimacy resolutions. The Minister emphasized the significance of international legitimacy resolutions related to the peace process in the Middle East and the necessity for all parties to adhere to them to facilitate a peaceful settlement, end conflict and human suffering, and create new prospects for comprehensive and sustainable peace in Palestine and the region as a whole.