AhlulBayt News Agency: The ministerial meeting of the Arab-Islamic Contact Group on Gaza convened on Friday to discuss mechanisms for enforcing a ceasefire in the Strip, stressing the importance of full compliance with all its provisions.
This was outlined in a joint statement released by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs following talks held in Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital, between the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Bahrain with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty, along with his counterparts, Saudi Arabia’s Faisal bin Farhan, Jordan’s Ayman Safadi, and Bahrain’s Abdullatif Al Zayani, took part in the discussions, alongside Slovenian FM Tanja Fajon and Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan Al-Muraikhi.
The talks focused on ways to promote regional and international stability and security, with particular emphasis on the situation in Gaza. The ministers underscored the need to uphold and implement all aspects of the ceasefire agreement and to ensure sufficient and sustained humanitarian aid reaches the Strip.
The ministers also reviewed efforts to advance the peace plan launched by US President Donald Trump, pushing for a clear political horizon that would lead to the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967, borders, with Occupied Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the two-state solution.
They also discussed the situation in the occupied West Bank and stressed the need to halt unilateral and illegal Israeli actions and ongoing violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem.
Participants warned that the continuation of these violations exacerbates tensions and undermines all de-escalation efforts.
In mid-January, the US announced the second phase of Trump’s plan for Gaza was underway, despite Israel’s request for a delay. The plan includes reopening the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, further Israeli withdrawal inside Gaza, beginning reconstruction, and disarming Hamas and other Palestinian factions.
The ministers commended Slovenia’s supportive stance on the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights and its recognition of the State of Palestine under the two-state solution, as stated in the joint communiqué.
In 2024, Slovenia recognized Palestine alongside Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, Norway, Ireland, Spain, and Armenia.
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob also recently announced that Slovenia would not participate in the so-called “Peace Council,” rejecting an invitation from US President Donald Trump.
Israel’s assault on Gaza since October 8, 2023, lasting two years, has resulted in approximately 72,000 Palestinian martyrs and more than 171,000 wounded, most of whom are women and children. Additionally, around 90% of the Strip’s civilian infrastructure has been destroyed.
/129
Your Comment