Muslim leaders for Gaza ceasefire, reconstruction, stabilisation

UNITED NATIONS: The Arab League and OIC member states called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as well as a reconstruction and stabilisation plan as they met US President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

A joint statement issued by the Arab League and OIC leaders a day later on Wednesday read, “They highlighted the unbearable situation in the Gaza Strip, including the humanitarian catastrophe and high human toll, as well as its serious consequences for the region and impact on the Muslim world as a whole.”

Leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan participated in Tuesday’s meeting, co-hosted by the US and Qatar.

Read more: Shehbaz, other leaders meet Trump who ‘wants’ to focus on Gaza

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif represented Pakistan in the meeting which Trump described as most important arranged on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

NO WEST BANK ANNEXATION

Separately, Politico quoting sources reported on Wednesday that Trump promised the Muslim leaders that he would not allow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex the occupied West Bank.

Read more: GGC condemns planned annexation of occupied West Bank

It also said the US team presented a white paper outlining the Trump administration’s plan to end the Gaza war, including the promise against West Bank annexation.

STABILISATION AND THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

The leaders of the eight Muslim states reiterated their “common position rejecting forced displacement and the need to allow the return of those who left”.

Read more: Dar consults top Muslim nations for unified stance

At the same time, they “emphasised the need to end the war and achieve an immediate ceasefire that would ensure releasing the hostages and allowing the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid as the first step toward a just and lasting peace”.

However, Gaza and West Bank need long-term planning so that the Palestinians could achieve the goal of their state under the two-state solution.

That’s why they also “emphasised the need to work out details of a plan for stabilisation, while ensuring stability in the West Bank and Jerusalem’s Holy Sites” while also expressing full support to the “Palestinian Authority reform efforts”.

Read more: UNGA supports future Palestinian state but without Hamas

SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS

Another point raised at the meeting was extending complete international support to the Palestinian and security arrangements.

Read more: Dar for international protection mechanism for Palestinians

In this connection, the Muslim leaders Trump that there should be a “comprehensive plan for reconstruction in Gaza, based on the Arab and OIC plan, as well as security arrangements, with international assistance supporting the Palestinian leadership”.

MOMENTUM AND LEADESRHIP

Meanwhile, the participants “also emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum to ensure that this meeting is the beginning of a process on the right path to a future of peace and regional cooperation”.

Also, “they reiterated their commitment to cooperate with President Trump, and stressed the importance of his leadership to end the war and open horizons for a just and lasting peace”.