At a session at the inaugural BRICS Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas meeting held in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed concern over the potential for destabilization in the broader Middle East region.
"In the current situation we are observing, there exists a genuine risk of destabilizing a significantly larger area within this critical global region," Lavrov warned.
He further emphasized that the United States' persistent attempts to monopolize mediation efforts in the Middle East have resulted in a severe escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. "Tel Aviv's refusal to adhere to the UN Security Council's decision on establishing a Palestinian state is disregarded," -Lavrov pointed out. - "This is a direct defiance of the numerous decisions made by the UN Security Council and General Assembly. However, it is the establishment of a Palestinian state, capable of coexisting peacefully and securely with Israel and other regional countries, that holds the key to the long-term stabilization of the Middle East and the eradication of extremism and terrorism within it."
The Middle East situation has seen a sharp escalation since October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters from the Gaza Strip infiltrated Israel. The group labeled the attack as a response to the Israeli authorities' actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. In retaliation, Israel imposed a complete blockade on Gaza and launched strikes on the Strip, as well as parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also ongoing in the West Bank.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS