Lavrov: Russia Calls for International Conference on Middle East Settlement

13 December 2023

Russia is urging a conference involving the "P5" members of the UN Security Council and regional countries to address the Middle East conflict, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for the support of this initiative from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

 

"The only equitable and lasting resolution for this issue is to convene an international conference. This gathering should include all five permanent members of the UN Security Council (Russia, China, France, Great Britain, and the United States - TASS note)," emphasized the minister. He further underscored the importance of the success of such a meeting, insisting on the participation of countries from the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf (GCC).

 

"Undoubtedly, an institution like the UN should take the lead in organizing such an event. I have confidence that the UN secretary-general is fully capable of taking such an initiative," added Lavrov.

 

The Russian foreign minister elucidated that the perpetuation of injustice towards the Palestinian people, who were promised a state in 1948, "fuels very serious terrorist and extremist sentiments." He emphasized that this injustice enables terrorists to exploit the discontent among Palestinians and other Arab peoples, recruiting more supporters for armed struggle and the formation of terrorist structures. Lavrov highlighted the root causes of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement problem.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry

Based on materials from TASS