UN two-state conference co-chairs urge renewed push for Palestinian state amid regional escalation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and France, co-chairs of the United Nations Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Question, joined with the chairs of the conference's working groups in issuing a joint statement on Tuesday expressing 'deep concern' over recent developments in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The statement said the latest escalation had 'necessitated the suspension' of the high-level conference, underscoring 'the validity of warnings about the fragility of the situation' and the urgent need to 'restore calm, respect international law, and strengthen diplomatic action.'
Despite the setback, the group reaffirmed their 'full commitment to the conference's objectives' and pledged to 'ensure the continuity of its work and the achievement of its goals,' SPA added.
They added that 'the co-chairs of the working groups will announce the date of the conference's roundtables soon,' with the aim of generating 'clear and coordinated international commitments' to advance the implementation of a two-state solution.
'In these critical circumstances,' the statement continued, 'we must redouble our efforts calling for respect for international law and the sovereignty of states, and to promote peace, freedom, and dignity for all peoples of the region.'
The group also reiterated its 'unwavering support for all efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza' and called for a 'just and sustainable settlement of the Palestinian issue,' affirming that regional stability and security hinge on a lasting peace.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Iran set to show off captured Israeli F-35 pilots
RIYADH: Iran is set to present images of captured Israeli F-35 pilots 'soon,' according to the Tehran Times. The Iranians on Friday said they had captured two Israeli fighter jet pilots, one of them a woman. The Israelis have not confirm they had lost any of its pilots after carrying out a surprise attack on Iran on Friday morning. The two countries militaries have been engaged in missile and drone attacks since then, prompting fears the confrontation could spiral out of control and lead to a major regional conflict.
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
UN two-state conference co-chairs urge renewed push for Palestinian state amid regional escalation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and France, co-chairs of the United Nations Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Question, joined with the chairs of the conference's working groups in issuing a joint statement on Tuesday expressing 'deep concern' over recent developments in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The statement said the latest escalation had 'necessitated the suspension' of the high-level conference, underscoring 'the validity of warnings about the fragility of the situation' and the urgent need to 'restore calm, respect international law, and strengthen diplomatic action.' Despite the setback, the group reaffirmed their 'full commitment to the conference's objectives' and pledged to 'ensure the continuity of its work and the achievement of its goals,' SPA added. They added that 'the co-chairs of the working groups will announce the date of the conference's roundtables soon,' with the aim of generating 'clear and coordinated international commitments' to advance the implementation of a two-state solution. 'In these critical circumstances,' the statement continued, 'we must redouble our efforts calling for respect for international law and the sovereignty of states, and to promote peace, freedom, and dignity for all peoples of the region.' The group also reiterated its 'unwavering support for all efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza' and called for a 'just and sustainable settlement of the Palestinian issue,' affirming that regional stability and security hinge on a lasting peace.
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
France urged to apologize for Polynesia nuclear tests
PARIS: Paris should apologize to French Polynesia for the fallout of nuclear tests there over three decades, which led to harmful radiation exposure, a French parliamentary report released on Tuesday said. France conducted 193 nuclear tests in French Polynesia from 1966, especially at the Pacific archipelago's Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls, to help build up its atomic weapon arsenal. These included atmospheric and underground tests which had severe health impacts. Tens of thousands of people in the French overseas territory are estimated to have been exposed to harmful levels of radiation, leading to a significant public health crisis that has been largely ignored. The tests remain a source of deep resentment in French Polynesia, where they are seen as evidence of racist colonial attitudes that disregarded the lives of islanders. 'The inquiry has strengthened the committee's conviction that a request for forgiveness from France to French Polynesia is necessary,' the report said. 'This request is not merely a symbol, nor a request for repentance. It must be a... fundamental step in the process of reconciliation between French Polynesia and the State,' the authors said. The report said the apology must be added to a 2004 law on French Polynesia's semi-autonomous status. Residents in the south Pacific Ocean islands are hoping for compensation for radiation victims. The investigative website Disclose, citing declassified French military documents on the nearly 200 tests, reported in March that the impact from the fallout was far more extensive than authorities let on. Only a few dozen civilians have been compensated for radiation exposure since the tests ended in 1996, Disclose said.
