His Excellency Mr. Nabil Fahmy receives UN Secretary-General António Guterres

His Excellency Mr Nabil Fahmy, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, received Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the League’s headquarters on 25 October.

Mr Guterres is visiting Cairo as part of a regional tour ahead of the end of his term at the close of this year.

Mr Fahmy welcomed the UN Secretary-General and expressed his appreciation for his decision to include the League of Arab States among the stops on his visit, noting the convergence of their diplomatic careers on the international stage over recent decades.

He also expressed his appreciation for the fruitful and sustained cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, affirming that the years during which Guterres served as Secretary-General would remain in Arab memory closely associated with his defence of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, particularly his steadfast positions on the Palestinian cause and the war on Gaza.

The Secretary-General stressed that the credibility of the international system is now being measured by what is taking place in Gaza, warning of the fragility of the ceasefire following the killing of more than 1,500 Palestinians since it took effect.

He underscored the need for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803, the preservation of the territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian territory, and support for UNRWA and its mandate.

Mr Fahmy also warned that continued impunity encourages violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.

The Secretary-General also reaffirmed the League of Arab States’ categorical rejection of all regional violations involving the unlawful use of force, including Iranian attacks on the territories and interests of neighbouring Arab countries, as well as the ongoing Houthi attacks targeting airports and civilian facilities, which most recently included the launch of missiles towards Mecca and Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mr Fahmy emphasised the League’s full solidarity with the Kingdom and its right to defend its security and sovereignty, and called on the UN Security Council to enforce its resolutions, stressing the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

The meeting also addressed the situation in Lebanon as the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) draws to a close.

Mr Fahmy noted the importance of avoiding any security vacuum in southern Lebanon and supporting the Lebanese state in extending its authority over its entire territory.

The meeting also addressed developments in Sudan, Syria and Libya, with emphasis on preserving the unity and sovereignty of these countries and their national institutions.

For his part, the UN Secretary-General expressed his firm and unwavering commitment to the need for States to respect international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

He also expressed his appreciation for the close partnership between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, affirming the UN’s keenness to continue coordinating with the League and supporting its efforts to advance its work in addressing the challenges facing the region and international developments.