Arab Foreign Ministers conclude meeting
Regional-Lebanon, Politics, 3/26/1998

Arab foreign ministers have rejected an Israeli proposal of conditional withdrawal from south Lebanon and stressed the importance of an immediate and unconditional implementation of UN Security Council resolution 425.

In a statement issued at the conclusion of two-day deliberations on Wednesday, the ministers called for releasing Lebanese prisoners detained in Israeli jails and denounced Israel's violation of human rights in south Lebanon and the western Bekaa.

The ministers unanimously decided to keep the Arab League [AL] council meetings open for continued discussions with a view to follow up on developments in the Middle East peace process. They also designated AL Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid to submit a report on minutes of the meeting to the presidency of the Arab summit, and to follow up the course of latest developments.

The ministers' decision said they discussed the grave situation the peace process is in. The ministers stressed Arab states' commitment to just and comprehensive peace as a strategic option restoring Arab lands and rights and guaranteeing balanced and equal security for all peoples of the region in line with the originally agreed-upon peace principles as provided for in the Madrid terms of reference, foremost the "land for peace principle."

The ministers listened to reports submitted by Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and his Lebanese counterpart Fares Boueiz, as well as Yasser Arafat on the situation of three peace tracks. The ministers condemned Israel's non-abidance by its obligations under international law.

They stated, "Just and comprehensive peace is attainable only if Israel pulls back from the Golan to pre-1967 lines, from south Lebanon and from the Palestinian territories, including occupied Jerusalem." The Arab ministers rejected Israel's circumvention of resolution 425 and its threats against Syria and Lebanon, reaffirming the inseparability of the two countries' tracks. The ministers said that occupying lands and owning weapons of mass destruction cannot provide security for any side.

The Arab ministers called for international attention on the deterioration of the situation in the occupied territories and Israel's policy of settlement and Judaization. They called on the US, the main peace process cosponsor, to shoulder responsibility and to compel Israel to honor UN resolutions and concluded obligations and expressed appreciation for the constructive role the European Union plays in the peace process.

The ministers called on international organizations working in the field to move in order to release all Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons according to the Geneva convention. They also condemned Israel for going ahead with plans to build a settlement at Jabal Abu Gheniem in spite of the resolutions of the general assembly of the U.N.

The ministers praised the position of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Organization of African Unity, and the non-aligned movement and called on all peace-loving peoples to contribute to rescuing the stalled process from its current impasse.

Previous Stories:
  Arab foreign ministers speak at l09th session convene   (3/25/1998)
  Arab foreign ministers meet on regional issues   (3/24/1998)

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