The Elders call for greater dialogue on Middle Eastern regional security issues
The Elders and the Emir of Kuwait have met and agreed that only dialogue and understanding can resolve political disputes and regional conflicts in the Middle East.
In two days of meetings, Lakhdar Brahimi and Martti Ahtisaari met HRH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad al-Sabah and Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Jarallah, as well as the Speaker of Parliament and MPs.
They also met Abdel Latif Yousef Al-Hamad, the President of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, and representatives of civil society groups.
They praised Kuwait’s founding role in and continued commitment to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and expressed their hope that all Council members cooperate with Emir in his role as mediator to resolve their current differences.
The Elders also commended the Emir for Kuwait’s efforts to prioritise peaceful and political processes to address all the problems of the region, in particular the conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Palestine.
Lakhdar Brahimi , former Foreign Minister of Algeria and UN diplomat, said:
“Kuwait has long been a voice for stability and cooperation in this region and we welcome its continued commitment to a peaceful path, including as a member of the UN Security Council. We also greatly appreciate Kuwait’s generosity to the victims of war in Syria and Iraq through the pledging conferences for humanitarian aid it has hosted and contributed to in such a substantial way.”
Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland and Nobel Peace Laureate, added:
“We admire Kuwait’s work and determination to foster a peaceful and harmonious environment for its people, its neighbours and the wider region. All member states of the United Nations have a responsibility to follow the honourable principles set out in the UN Charter.”