GCC, ASEAN leaders call for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, condemn attacks against civilians

GCC, ASEAN leaders call for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, condemn attacks against civilians
A hand out picture provided by UAE Presidential Court on October 20, 2023, shows (front L- R) Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Sultan of Brunai Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, and Deputy Prime Minister of Defense Affairs of Oman Sayyed Shihab bin Tarek bin Taimur al-Said, as they pose for a family photograph during the joint summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), at King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. (AFP)
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Updated 20 October 2023
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GCC, ASEAN leaders call for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, condemn attacks against civilians

GCC, ASEAN leaders call for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, condemn attacks against civilians
  • Summit leaders demand the much-needed delivery of humanitarian aid, relief supplies and services to Gaza
  • Urge parties to protect civilians, to refrain from targeting them and to adhere to international humanitarian law

RIYADH: Gulf and ASEAN leaders have issued a statement calling all parties involved in the Gaza conflict to implement a permanent ceasefire, and condemned the attacks on civilians in the Palestinian enclave.

Summit leaders also called for much-needed delivery of humanitarian aid, relief supplies and other essential necessities and services to Gaza.

In their statement, the leaders urged parties to the conflict to protect civilians, to refrain from targeting them and to adhere to international humanitarian law, especially the principles and provisions of the Geneva Convention regarding the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

The statement all called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and civilian detainees, especially women, children, the sick and the elderly, and urged all parties to work towards reaching a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The leaders of the two regional blocs also expressed their support to revive the Middle East peace process, and to resolve the conflict between Israel and its neighbors in accordance with international law.

The regional leaders also agreed on the Framework of Cooperation 2024-2028, aiming to further strengthen partnership and cooperation to realize the potential for growing cooperation between both sides.





Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with ASEAN leaders at the sidelines of the GCC-ASEAN Summit in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier reiterated the Kingdom’s support for efforts to reach a just solution to the Palestinian cause in his opening speech at the summit.

The crown prince also said that he was ‘saddened’ by the escalating violence in Gaza, for which innocent people were paying the price, and firmly rejected the targeting of civilians.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who led the 10-nation ASEAN this year, in his opening statement also called for an end in the violence in Gaza in accordance with international laws.

Crown Prince Mohammed also said that Saudi Arabia seeks to strengthen relations with ASEAN nations across all fields.

Although the two organizations established relations in 1990, the gathering will be their maiden summit with the aim of optimizing cooperation between the regional blocs.

 

 

The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE, while the ASEAN bloc is made up of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines.

The value of trade between ASEAN nations currently stands at more than $110 billion.