Jeddah: Gulf and Arab foreign ministers have said that the presence of armed terrorist groups must be ended and Syria’s sovereignty must be protected. This was requested by the ministerial meeting hosted by the Saudi Foreign Minister in Jeddah on Friday night to seek a solution to the Syrian crisis. An informal consultative meeting was held by the foreign ministers of GCC countries, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. In the statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the meeting, it was stated that there was a call from the ministers for the unity of Syria. The ministers said that there is only a political solution to the Syrian crisis. The meeting called for the unity of Syria and its return to the Arab environment. The meeting also emphasized the importance of fighting terrorism and drug trafficking.
The Ministers consulted and exchanged views on matters necessary to end all the effects of the Syrian crisis, preserve the unity, security, stability and Arab stability of Syria and bring it back to the Arab environment. The Foreign Ministers agreed on the importance of resolving the humanitarian crisis, creating an enabling environment for aid to all regions of Syria, creating the necessary conditions for the return of Syrian refugees and displaced persons to their regions, enabling them to end their suffering and return safely to their homelands, and taking further steps to help stabilize the situation in the entire region.
There must be an Arab leadership role in efforts to end the Syrian crisis. The ministers also said the importance of setting up the necessary mechanisms and strengthening consultations among Arab countries to ensure the success of these efforts. In addition, views were exchanged on various issues and developments in the region. The meeting condemned illegal Israeli actions that undermine the bilateral solution.
The meeting condemned the Israeli attacks on Quds and Al-Aqsa mosques and violating the sanctity of the holy places. Ministers said that the historical and legal status of holy places should be respected. Al-Aqsa Mosque is the holy place of worship for Muslims, they said in unison. The ministers thanked Saudi Arabia for convening this consultative meeting to discuss efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis.
