The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, participated on 23 January in the high-level session of the Security Council on cooperation between the League of Arab States and the Security Council. The session was chaired by Mr. Ahmed Attaf, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, in its capacity as President of the Council for this month.
Gamal Roshdy, the official spokesperson for the Secretary-General, stated that Mr. Aboul Gheit seized the opportunity during his address to the Security Council to thoroughly review the major Arab issues, presenting the League's positions and priorities on each matter, particularly those requiring concerted efforts between the League of Arab States and the Security Council.
The spokesperson highlighted that Mr. Aboul Gheit underscored the necessity of maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza following 15 months of criminal genocidal war on the Strip. However, he affirmed that a ceasefire alone does not constitute a sustainable solution. The true resolution lies in ensuring the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state along the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He further warned that the continued denial of Palestinian rights poses a grave and imminent threat to international peace and security.
The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States reaffirmed the League’s commitment to supporting the aspirations of the Syrian people for a better future following years of suffering under the former regime. During his address to the Security Council, he stressed the importance of a successful political transition free from external interference, while safeguarding Syria's unity and sovereignty.
Mr. Aboul Gheit cautioned against Israel's expansionist ambitions in Syria, emphasising adherence to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. He further declared that the occupation of the Golan Heights is unjustifiable and rooted in Israel’s territorial ambitions.
The Secretary-General's spokesperson noted that Mr. Aboul Gheit extended congratulations to Lebanon for the election of Joseph Aoun as president, ending a more than two-year vacancy, and for the appointment of Judge Nawaf Salam as prime minister. The League of Arab States, he said, looks forward to Lebanon achieving political stability and economic recovery that aligns with the aspirations of its people. Mr. Aboul Gheit stressed the necessity of maintaining and extending the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel through the full implementation of Resolution 1701, which includes the complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territories and the deployment of the Lebanese army in vacated areas.
Addressing the ongoing crisis in Sudan, Mr. Aboul Gheit highlighted the devastating human cost of the war, reiterating the League’s unwavering support for Sudan’s unity and the integrity of its national institutions. He called on Sudanese parties to prioritise national interests and stability, urging a return to constructive dialogue grounded in wisdom and patriotism.
On Libya, the Secretary-General called for unity among Libyan factions under a cohesive leadership. He urged the Security Council to support Libya’s emergence from its complex political crisis while safeguarding its sovereignty, unity, and stability, free from external agendas.
Roshdy stated that Mr. Aboul Gheit delivered a strong warning about Israeli efforts to undermine the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). He stressed that UNRWA plays an indispensable role in supporting Palestinian refugees and serves as a vital pillar of regional stability. Mr. Aboul Gheit called on the Security Council to defend UNRWA’s mission and protect this essential humanitarian institution.
