Arab League-United Nations Cooperation Key to Resolving Conflicts, Security Council Told
Bolstering relations between the League of Arab States and the United Nations will help overcome political impasse and find lasting solutions to crises and conflicts in Gaza, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Lebanon, Sudan and Somalia, top officials from those organizations told the Security Council today.
Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific at the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, welcomed ceasefire in Gaza and Israeli hostages being released, citing a deal brokered by two Arab League members, namely Egypt and Qatar, as well as the United States. “This critical and long-awaited agreement offers a ray of hope, a long-overdue moment that provides much-needed relief for Palestinians in Gaza and for the hostages reunited with their loved ones,” he added. The United Nations is now doing its part to ensure the rapid scaling up of humanitarian relief, he said.
He also commended the Arab League for its vocal support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in carrying out its mandate as adopted by the General Assembly in all its areas of operation.
“As Syria seeks to charge a new course following the fall of the Assad government”, the United Nations continues its close engagement with the League and its member States to coordinate support for a Syrian-led political process based on the key principles of Security Council resolutions, he said. He also commended the League’s role in contributing to the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.
The League is also an important partner for the United Nations in facilitating a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement of the conflict in Yemen and Libya, he added. He also expressed concern over the conflict in Sudan and commended efforts of the League there, including in bolstering multilateral coordination. Climate change, inequality and other global issues continue to grow increasingly intense, often exacerbating the conflicts themselves. “We commit to continue our partnership with the League of Arab States to augment our joint efforts to improve the lives of people across the Arab region and beyond,” he added.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, stressed that cooperation is pivotal to promoting regional and international security. Underscoring that the ceasefire in Gaza is “not a permanent solution”, he said that only the realization of the Palestinian people’s right to an independent State can guarantee peace. “The continued denial of this right is a threat to international peace and security,” he asserted. In that regard, he highlighted the League’s initiatives, including establishing the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, together with Saudi Arabia, European Union, Norway and other peace-loving nations.
The League is also hopeful that Syria will undergo a successful transition that will pave the way to ending the crisis without any foreign intervention while preserving the country’s unity and territorial integrity. In this context, he noted the appointment of his personal envoy to visit Syria to understand the new situation.
He further supported Sudan as it is facing a war with the most severe humanitarian consequences worldwide, calling for a settlement that fulfils the needs of its people. In the same vein, he continued, the coordination process in Libya must be resumed as soon as possible, also voicing support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. He then requested that Council members revisit the League’ headquarters in Cairo soon to hold extensive meetings.
In the ensuing discussion, Council members underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between the League of Arab States and the UN, with Ahmed Attaf, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Algeria — which holds Council presidency for January — emphasizing that the security situation is critical in one third of League members States. “The quick and rapid developments in our region have dangerous repercussions,” he emphasized, also adding: “More than ever, we need an Arab-UN partnership that breathes new life into Arab diplomacy”.
The United States representative said that cooperation can help the region seize this opportunity. “We need our Arab friends and partners to step up and to use this moment to engage Israelis and Palestinians to show that a better, more peaceful future is possible,” she said. The speaker for the Republic of Korea added that the spillover effects of the Gaza conflict serve as a reminder of the centrality of the Palestinian question in the region. China’s delegate warned against Syria becoming a base for terrorism. This is why the Arab League must leverage its strength of geographical, historical, religious and cultural affinity to play a unique role in conflict prevention and mediation.
Cooperation with Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Pakistan’s representative emphasized that strengthened UN-Arab League cooperation is essential to address terrorism, organized crime and climate change. Effective partnerships must also tackle capacity gaps and secure sustainable financing, he pointed out, encouraging the League to enhance engagement also with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Economic Cooperation Organization and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“The relationship between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is a clear example of the value of multilateral cooperation in addressing common challenges and in crafting sustainable solutions,” echoed Panama’s representative. He further stressed the need to guarantee effective humanitarian responses and protect civilians by optimizing coordination.
Denmark’s representative noted that the UN-Arab League partnership is critical in advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda while Guyana’s delegate pointed out that time has made it increasingly clear that regional organizations are better placed to effectively address the increasingly transnational nature of security threats.
Other countries directly affected by conflict in the region echoed similar sentiments, as Somalia’s representative underscored that “cooperation between the UN and the League of Arab States reflects the strength of joint action” that bolsters conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Many people in the Arab region are facing severe humanitarian crises, he observed, noting the need to provide them with assistance, particularly women, children and refugees. It is therefore crucial to guarantee women’s economic and political empowerment and participation in peace processes, he added.
League’s Coordinating Role in Post-Conflict Assistance
The Russian Federation’s delegate emphasized that he League can and should play a role in supporting the Gaza ceasefire and coordinating Arab countries in providing post-conflict assistance to the Palestinian people.
“While a ray of hope shines in the region” thanks to the long-over-due ceasefire and hostage release deal, humanitarian aid and reconstruction challenges remain, cautioned Greece’s delegate, stressing that “it is time to seize the momentum and redouble our collective efforts towards our shared objective of regional peace and stability”.
Egypt’s delegate, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, spotlighted the critical need to protect and support UNRWA against the illegal Israeli measures that aim to undermine the agency. Noting the vital importance of regional and international cooperation, he proposed that the Council visit the Arab League Headquarters in his country’s capital, as well as visit Palestine, which must become a full-fledged UN member.
Sierra Leone’s representative described the ceasefire in Gaza as “a potential catalyst” for a renewed focus on the peace process in Yemen. The escalation of attacks from the Houthis against Israel and the Red Sea region has had profound implications for broader regional stability. Turning to Libya, he said its people “have long yearned for stability”, and a unified approach by the Arab League, African Union and the UN is key to facilitating national reconciliation integration and rebuilding.
On Lebanon, the United Kingdom’s delegate said the agreement between Israel and Hizbullah has offered hope for the people whose lives were devastated by the conflict. “It is a first step towards a long-term political solution,” he said.
Syria’s developments continued to be part of the conversation on regional participation, said France’s representative, stating: “We must meet the legitimate social, economic and political aspirations of the people.” On that, “the Arab League will be pivotal in supporting Syria’s reconstruction”, added Slovenia’s delegate, emphasizing the importance of women’s participation at all levels of post-conflict processes.