GCC-Asean calls for ceasefire in Gaza

RIYADH - Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) had called for a durable ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure the most effective and efficient access of humanitarian aid, and unhindered delivery of fuel, food and medicine throughout Gaza.

A joint statement by GCC and Asean said during the GCC-Asean Summit on Oct 20, the leaders had exchanged views and expressed grave concerns over the developments in the Middle East.

They condemned all attacks against civilians, and called on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, refrain from targeting them and to abide by international humanitarian law, particularly the principles and provisions of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of Aug 12 1949.

They called for the immediate and unconditional release of civilian hostages and detainees, especially women, children, the sick and the elderly, according to the joint statement made available on Saudi Press Agency (SPA) website.

The leaders urged all parties concerned to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict with a view to realising the two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders in accordance with international law and the relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

Leaders of the the two blocs also agreed to support the initiative of Saudi Arabia, the European Union and the League of Arab States to revive the Middle East peace process in cooperation with Egypt and Jordan, and resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute in accordance with international law and all UN resolutions on this conflict.

The Summit which was held for the first time, brought together the two prominent blocs made up of the 10 Asean member states and six members of the GCC - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. - BERNAMA