Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab
States, received Mr. José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the Kingdom of Spain, who is currently visiting Cairo as part of a
regional tour. The meeting took place at the League's General
Secretariat on 14 March.
Albares delivered a speech before the League Council at the level
of permanent delegates, focusing on the war in Gaza and the priority of
achieving a ceasefire.
Gamal Roshdy, the spokesman for the Secretary-General, stated that
Mr. Aboul Gheit discussed with the Spanish Foreign Minister the latest
developments regarding the war on Gaza. The Secretary-General expressed
his appreciation for Spain’s steadfast support for Palestinian rights
since the outset of the brutal war waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip,
emphasising that Madrid's stance reflects its commitment to principles,
shared human values, and justice.
Mr. Aboul Gheit highlighted that the Israeli massacre has reached
an unprecedented level, directly stemming from the tacit approval
granted by some Western nations to engage in aggression and violence
under the guise of self-defence — an entitlement deemed unacceptable for
an occupying force.
The spokesman stated that the Spanish Foreign Minister, in turn,
underscored the importance of his country's robust relations with Arab
nations. He emphasised the urgent need for an immediate and lasting
ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as well as the preservation of unity and
geographical connectivity between Gaza and the West Bank under the
leadership of the Palestinian Authority. Furthermore, he stressed the
imperative of expediting the establishment of an independent Palestinian
state.
Roshdy pointed out that the Spanish minister affirmed his country's
intention to imminently recognise the Palestinian state.
Secretary-General Aboul Gheit urged him to champion this cause within
the European Union, emphasising that recognising Palestine and granting
it full membership in the United Nations constitute crucial steps
towards realising the two-state solution. He noted that Spain had
previously played a historic role in peace efforts through the Madrid
Process.
Furthermore, the spokesman elaborated that Mr. Aboul Gheit and
Albares explored the possibility of organiding an international peace
conference under Spain's auspices. The Secretary-General underscored the
imperative of concerted action at both Arab and European levels, as
well as with all relevant stakeholders, to expedite the realisation of
this initiative. Its aim is to achieve the two-state solution and
establish a political framework for Palestinians in the forthcoming
phase.
He added that the Spanish minister's address before the League's
accredited delegates was unequivocal in rejecting the ongoing Israeli
aggression. He stressed the urgent need for substantial and sustained
humanitarian aid to Gaza, denounced forced displacement, and condemned
any potential Israeli operation in Rafah. These positions were met with
appreciation by Arab nations.
