Striking statement from Russia on Palestine-Israel

Lavrov met with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Moscow. Speaking at the beginning of the meeting, Lavrov stated that they would discuss all aspects of interaction between Russia and the Arab League, including ministerial-level meetings.

Noting that there has been an unprecedentedly sharp turn in the Palestine-Israel conflict, Lavrov said, "This turn has proven that the current status quo in the conflict zone is absolutely unsustainable, and adjustments need to be made to our agenda. It is necessary not only to urgently stop the clashes and resolve the problems regarding the large number of civilians who have become victims of the current situation, but also to pay special attention to the root causes of the Palestinian issue, for which no solution has been found for decades."

ESTABLISHING SUSTAINABLE PEACE...

Noting that Russia believes it can contribute to the resolution of these issues, primarily to stopping the bloodshed and ending the suffering of civilians, together with Arab League countries, Lavrov emphasized that they are ready to do this with the Arab League and all other countries that are sincerely interested in establishing sustainable peace and ensuring security in the Middle East.

Arab League Secretary-General Gheit also said, "All these events will continue to occur, even if not with the same intensity, due to the lack of any political expectation or initiative aimed at resolving the Palestinian issue."