General Secretariat - Riyadh
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed the GCC's steadfast positions in support of the brotherly Lebanese people and its continuous backing for Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and stability.
He emphasised the necessity of an immediate ceasefire and the importance of avoiding military escalation along the Lebanese-Israeli border, protecting civilians, exercising restraint, and refraining from engaging in regional conflicts to prevent the expansion of the dispute in the region.
His Excellency also reiterated the points made in the ministerial statement of the GCC countries, which call for the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, which emphasise the need for Israel to respect Lebanese borders and for the Lebanese government to exercise control over all Lebanese territories, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the Taif Agreement.
"This is essential for Lebanon to fully exercise its sovereignty, ensuring that no weapons exist without the approval of the Lebanese government and that no authority exists other than its own. The statement also stressed the importance of expediting the presidential elections and implementing necessary economic reforms for the Lebanese government to fulfill its responsibilities towards its citizens," His Excellency stated.