Bahrain Stands Firm on Gaza: Minister Urges Peacekeeping and UN Action
His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, participated today in a press conference held in Amman by the ministerial committee formed by the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit to address the situation in Gaza.
The press briefing featured prominent regional leaders, including His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; His Excellency Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan; His Excellency Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt; and His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.
Bahrain Declaration at the Center of Arab Unity
In his remarks, Minister Al Zayani highlighted the pivotal role of the Bahrain Declaration, which emerged from the 33rd Arab Summit held under the presidency of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain. He emphasized that the declaration was not just a political statement but a unified Arab stance reflecting the collective will of the Arab world to advance a diplomatic roadmap for peace in Gaza.
He stressed the urgent need for:
An immediate ceasefire in Gaza
The prompt release of all hostages and detainees
The acceleration of humanitarian aid
The rejection of forced displacement
A comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of Gaza
Support for Palestinian Representation and Peacekeeping Proposals
Minister Al Zayani also referenced the Cairo Peace Summit, co-chaired by His Majesty King Hamad and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, where a full reconstruction plan for Gaza was endorsed. He reiterated Bahrain's position that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) remains the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
Additionally, he called for the deployment of international peacekeeping forces in Gaza, either under the UN's supervision or via a coalition of willing nations, to ensure lasting stability in the region.
Backing Global Peace Initiatives and Diplomatic Expansion
Dr. Al Zayani expressed Bahrain's appreciation to Saudi Arabia and France for their initiative in convening an International Peace Conference in New York later this month. He also praised Arab leaders for their directive at the Bahrain Summit to intensify diplomatic efforts aimed at:
Increasing the number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine
Securing full UN membership for Palestine
He further commended the formation of an international coalition to implement the two-state solution, initiated by Saudi Arabia, Norway, and the European Union.
The press conference underscored growing Arab consensus on urgent diplomatic measures and humanitarian action to address the deteriorating crisis in Gaza.
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