CAIRO, June 13, 2018 (MENA) - Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit conferred with UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Miroslav Lajcak in New York on the latest developments in the Arab arena especially the Arab group's bid to provide international protection for the Palestinian people against Israel's illegal actions in the occupied territories during an UNGA emergency session under the title of "Uniting for Peace". In a statement released on Wednesday, Arab League Secretary General Spokesman Mahmoud Afifi said Abul Gheit reiterated during the meeting the Arab states' keenness on the passing of a draft resolution on the Palestinian issue with the largest majority possible in a way that would affirm the international community commitment towards defending the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and rejecting the repressive actions of the Israeli occupation forces. Afifi also said the Arab League chief met Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Alekseevich Nebenzia, current chief of the UN Security Council. Talks covered the need for the UN Council to shoulder its responsibilities towards reaching a just and comprehensive settlement for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with the focus on establishing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Talks also dwelt on other developments in the Arab region especially in Syria, Yemen and Libya in light of Russia's intention to hold a debate session at the UN on the conditions in the Middle East and North Africa region by the end of the current month, added the spokesman. Abul Gheit also had talks with African Commission Chief Moussa Faki on the fringe of his participation in a high-level forum held between the UN Secretary General and heads of a number of regional and non-regional organisations. Talks covered means of consolidating Arab-African relations especially current cooperation between the African Commission and the Arab League as regards the settlement of current armed conflicts especially in Libya as well as preparations for an Arab African Summit that will be held in the Saudi capital Riyadh in 2019.
