The Arab world is still suffering from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on various levels, a matter that is affecting growth rates, commercial movements and economic activities, Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Aboul-Gheit said Thursday. Arab foreign ministers on Wednesday reappointed veteran Egyptian diplomat Ahmed Aboul Gheit as the Secretary-General of the Cairo-based Arab League. A former ambassador to the United Nations and Egypt's last foreign minister under President Hosni Mubarak, Aboul Gheit won the backing of the Arab foreign ministers meeting in the Egyptian capital. Delivering his speech to the 156th regular ministerial session for the Arab League, headed by Kuwait, Aboul-Gheit said political and security crises in the Arab world were causing a dilemma to countries in the region with some lacking the grit to face problems and come up with solutions. In recent months, however, there were some positive signs regarding issues central to the Arab nations, indicated Aboul-Gheit who called on Arabs to use this momentum to push for a solution to issues such as the Palestinian cause on the international level. Backing and supporting the Palestinians against Israeli occupying forces was a humanitarian duty, affirmed the Arab official, adding that any other answers to the two-states solution would encourage Israelis to continue their brutal campaign against Palestinians. He stressed that the Arab League would always back up the two-states solution within the June 1967 borders as the only way for peace in the region. Aboul Gheit expressed his optimism in making progress to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during his new five-year term. "A new opportunity looms today with the new American administration taking over the levers of power to correct this track and to launch a real peace process, based on international law, a framework and a lasting solution and not just negotiating for the purpose of negotiation," Aboul Gheit said. In regards to the Middle East region, Aboul-Gheit indicated that some regional players were eager to syphon Arab resources and causing strive to Arab countries. In Yemen, the people there are facing a humanitarian catastrophe, in Lebanon, the lack of an established government is causing harm to the fellow Arab country and the list goes on, said Aboul-Gheit. On Libya, Aboul-Gheit reiterated that elections on Dec, 24 were "crucial and importance" for the future of the fellow Arab nations, calling on Libyans to put the interest of the country above all. Touching on the situation in Iraq, Aboul-Gheit indicated the Baghdad Cooperation and Partnership Conference, held on Aug, 28, was vital for supporting Iraq's sovereignty and stability, saying a stable and prosperous Iraq was in the interest of Arabs. Commenting on climate change, Aboul-Gheit said that the region was not isolation from the problem, calling for measures to protect the environment and reduce carbon gas emissions. The Arab ministers are scheduled to discuss a number of crucial issues during the 156th session, including the Palestinian cause, the Syria and Yemen situation, the latest developments in Libya, and ways to support Lebanon amongst other topics. — Agencies
