PARIS: Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, led the UAE delegation to the International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty, which was organised by the President of France, and hosted in the French capital, Paris. The conference saw the participation of 70 countries, the UN, the EU, as well as international and regional organisations.
Al Kaabi expressed the UAE’s deep concern with the ongoing developments in Lebanon, the repercussions of the dangerous escalation, and its impact on regional stability. In this regard, she affirmed the UAE’s unwavering solidarity with Lebanon’s unity, its national sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and underscored the country’s support to the brotherly Lebanese people in the current challenging circumstances.
She stressed the UAE’s call on the international community to intensify serious efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and prevent further loss of life – through the full and unconditional implementation of the UN Security Council’s Resolutions 1559 and
1170. The UAE also called for avoiding confrontations and escalations, including actions and reactive actions, and the necessity of putting an end to the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, which has displaced 1.4 million people from their homes, due to military operations that have created dire conditions requiring food, shelter, protection services, and medical care.
Al Kaabi stated, ‘As part of the wise leadership of the UAE’s unwavering approach and keenness to urgently respond to difficult humanitarian conditions and urgent needs, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed the provision of US$100 million of urgent relief packages to the brotherly Lebanese people. His Highness also allocated US$30 million of urgent aid to the Lebanese refugees in the Syrian Arab Republic.’
Noura Al Kaabi highlighted that as part of the UAE’s efforts to support the Lebanese people during the difficult humanitarian conditions, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prim
e Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, directed the provision of urgent food aid to the Lebanese people, through Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI).
She added, ‘The UAE has dispatched 14 aircraft carrying medical, food, and shelter supplies, via an air bridge as part of the ‘UAE Stands with Lebanon’ campaign, in coordination with the government of Lebanon and international partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), along with all segments of UAE’s society.’
Furthermore, she highlighted that the UAE condemns the continuous Israeli violations of the UN Security Council’s Resolutions, particularly Resolution 1701, which is reflected in its ongoing aggression on Lebanon’s territories. She emphasised that the increased dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East exacerbates humanitaria
n, political, and security crises, posing a significant threat to the safety and lives of civilians.
Al Kaabi also condemned the Israeli attacks on the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission, and reiterated the UAE’s call on all parties to ensure the safety of soldiers participating in UN operations.
Source: Emirates News Agency