News
2026-09-21
H. E. Mr. Nabil Fahmy and António Guterres discuss regional escalation on sidelines of UN General Assembly
H. E. Mr. Nabil Fahmy, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, met on 20 September with Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the outset of Mr. Fahmy’s participation in the high-level meetings of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
His Excellency Mr Nabil Fahmy, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, met on 20 September with Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the outset of Mr. Fahmy’s participation in the high-level meetings of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The dangerous escalation unfolding across the region featured prominently in the discussions.
Mr. Fahmy reviewed its repercussions for the security and stability of the Arab region, as well as for international maritime navigation, energy security and global trade.
He affirmed the League of Arab States’ solidarity with its Member States in safeguarding their security, sovereignty and vital facilities, stressing that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea is an established principle of international law that must not be compromised under any pretext.
The two sides agreed that containing the escalation requires serious international action that addresses its underlying causes rather than managing its consequences.
Mr. Fahmy reviewed its repercussions for the security and stability of the Arab region, as well as for international maritime navigation, energy security and global trade.
He affirmed the League of Arab States’ solidarity with its Member States in safeguarding their security, sovereignty and vital facilities, stressing that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea is an established principle of international law that must not be compromised under any pretext.
The two sides agreed that containing the escalation requires serious international action that addresses its underlying causes rather than managing its consequences.
The meeting also addressed the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the humanitarian tragedy in the Gaza Strip and the escalating Israeli violations in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem..
Mr. Fahmy emphasised the need to ensure Israel’s compliance with international law and international humanitarian law, and asserted that the broad international recognition of the State of Palestine must now be translated into concrete steps towards ending the occupation and realising an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He affirmed that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory and that any arrangements separating it from the West Bank are rejected.
Mr. Fahmy emphasised the need to ensure Israel’s compliance with international law and international humanitarian law, and asserted that the broad international recognition of the State of Palestine must now be translated into concrete steps towards ending the occupation and realising an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He affirmed that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory and that any arrangements separating it from the West Bank are rejected.
The two sides also reviewed developments in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Libya, as well as the grave situation in Sudan, which threatens to bring about further humanitarian deterioration.
They renewed their call for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of safe corridors for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, with a view to alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people and preventing further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis.
They renewed their call for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of safe corridors for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, with a view to alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people and preventing further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis.
They also commended the strong partnership between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, describing it as a model for cooperation between international and regional organisations.
They emphasised the importance of maintaining effective coordination between the two organisations on regional and international issues, in a manner that contributes to advancing peace and stability in the Arab region and beyond.
They emphasised the importance of maintaining effective coordination between the two organisations on regional and international issues, in a manner that contributes to advancing peace and stability in the Arab region and beyond.
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