Arab states call for immediate end to war against Iraq
Regional-Iraq, Politics, 3/26/2003

Following their meeting in Cairo yesterday, the Arab foreign minister branded the aggression on Iraq "a violation of international law and legality, a threat to international peace and security and a challenge of the international community and public opinion."

They also called for "the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the US-British invading troops from Iraq" and renewed the Arab world's commitment not to participate in any military actions that would undermine Iraq's sovereignty and security and international legality, insisting on the need to guarantee security, peace and unity throughout all the territories of Arab countries.

An item of the resolution, on which Kuwaiti expressed reserves, asks the Arab group at the Union to request an emergency meeting of the security council in order to adopt a resolution that calls for the cessation of aggression and for the withdrawal of US-British troops outside Iraq's international borders. They said if the security council fails to convene a session, they will turn to the general assembly for an emergency session.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hamoud called for holding an extraordinary session by the Security Council to adopt a decision on the legality of the military operations in Iraq, condemn the American-British aggression, urge an immediate and unconditional end to the military operations, respect unity and sovereignty of Iraq and its neighbours and call for activating the work of the international inspectors. Hamoud considered the invasion of Iraq a clear violation of the simplest international law rules.

At the Arab foreign ministers' meeting, Hamoud said the military aggression entered serious stages that threaten the security of all countries in the region.

Such a situation requires a new stand to face this challenge, Hamoud said.

He said that the Arab foreign ministers believe in the importance of holding an emergency UN Security Council session in order to endorse a draft resolution that would reiterate the illegitimacy of the current military attacks on Iraq.

In a statement released yesterday after the meeting of the Foreign Ministers, the Arab League Ministerial Council demanded immediate and unconditional withdrawal of US and British forces from Iraq.

The Council held the US and Britain responsible for the material, moral and legal damage caused by the aggression.

The council dubbed the aggression as a violation of the UN Charter, an aberration from the international legitimacy, a threat to the international security and peace and a challenge to the international community.

AL Council reiterated the Arab states' solidarity wit Iraq in its confrontation with the aggressors.

The Council decided after its meeting late Monday to,

First : Condemn the US-British aggression on Iraq which is a member of the UN and the Arab League.

Second : Consider this aggression a violation of the UN charter and the principles of the international law and legitimacy, a threat to the world peace and security and a challenge to the world public opinion which is demanding peaceful settlement to international disputes.

Third : Demand immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the US and British troops from the Iraqi territories and hold them responsible for the moral, legal and material repercussions of this act.

Fourth : Stress once again commitment of Arab countries to abstaining from participation in any military act that jeopardizes sovereignty.

Fifth : Instruct the Arab group in the UN to request an emergency UN Security Council meeting to demand halt of the attack and withdrawal of the aggressors from Iraq and prevent interference in the Iraqi internal affairs.

Sixth : Ask the Arab group in the UN to ask for an emergency UN General Assembly meeting if the UNSC refused to convene or take the necessary resolution to halt the aggression.

Seventh : Consider the AL Council in a permanent meeting and entrust the AL Chief with following up the situation and reporting all developments to AL Council.

Speeches made at its opening by the Lebanese and Libyan ministers supported the draft.

Lebanon's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hamoud called on the UN Security Council to seek "a halt to the aggression" and urged "the immediate withdrawal" of the U.S. and British troops from Iraq.

Libya paid tribute to the "heroic resistance of Iraq's people and army." His reference to an "occupation" triggered sustained applause from fellow ministers and officials. "We want to tell our brothers in Iraq, we are supporting you" he added.

Previous Stories:
  Call for UN General Assembly to issue resolution on Iraq war   (3/25/2003)
  Algerian president, Lebanese parties support Iraq   (3/25/2003)
  Arab ministers condemn aggression against Iraq; Kuwaiti reservations   (3/25/2003)

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