Secretary-General of the League of Arab States: Colombia’s declaration on Occupied Syrian Golan has no legal effect; Syrian sovereignty remains firm

H E Mr Nabil Fahmy, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, expressed his rejection of the Republic of Colombia's declaration recognising Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan, stressing that the declaration has no legal effect and carries no bearing on the status or sovereignty of the Golan.

He affirmed that the Golan will remain occupied Syrian territory under international law and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.

The Secretary-General stressed that sovereignty over territory cannot be acquired through occupation, nor can it be established by the political position of one State or another.

The legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan is firmly established to be altered by changes in governments or their political orientations.

H E Mr Fahmy recalled United Nations Security Council Resolution 497 (1981), which determined that Israel's decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Golan Heights was null and void and without international legal effect.

He underscored that political positions, regardless of their source, cannot confer legitimacy on occupation, alter borders, or create rights over the territory of another State.

The Secretary-General called on the Colombian Government to withdraw the declaration and correct its position in accordance with international law, United Nations resolutions and the established international position on the status of the occupied Syrian Golan.

He stated that subjecting the principles of sovereignty and the prohibition against the acquisition of territory by force to shifting political positions and considerations would undermine the foundations upon which the international order rests.

H E Mr Fahmy reaffirmed the League of Arab States' steadfast position in support of the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic over the occupied Syrian Golan and its rejection of any measures or positions that could confer legitimacy on the Israeli occupation or entrench its consequences.