Arab League Council condemns Israeli aggression on Lebanon

The Council of the Arab League has strongly condemned Israel's aggression against Lebanon, stressing the need for an immediate ceasefire, adding any incursion or occupation of Lebanese territory would be considered an assault on Arab national security. 

This came in a resolution issued by the Council at the conclusion of its extraordinary session on Thursday, chaired by Yemen, under the title “Solidarity with Lebanon", to address the serious repercussions of the Israeli aggression.

The Council emphasised its full solidarity with Lebanon in the face of the serious aggression, which has resulted in the death of thousands of civilians, including children, women, the elderly, and medics, and the severe injury of thousands more.

The aggression has led to the internal displacement of over one million people, following the destruction of thousands of residential units, the complete devastation of towns and villages, and the burning of vast agricultural areas, constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as blatant violations of international conventions and treaties, and a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law and human rights law.

The Council held Israel responsible for the aggression and affirmed its support for mechanisms and efforts to hold it accountable and prosecute it before international forums and courts. It called on Arab countries, friendly nations, and regional and international organisations to expedite the provision of financial and in-kind aid, including food and urgent medical supplies, to Lebanon, in light of the immense pressure the brutal aggression is placing on health, relief, and social sectors.

The Council also expressed gratitude to the Arab nations that have already begun providing assistance.

The Council of the Arab League affirmed its support for Lebanon’s position and its ongoing efforts and communications with the international community to pressure Israel to halt its aggression and immediately ceasefire, as a prelude to enforcing international legitimacy resolutions, particularly Resolution 1701.

The Council called for the full implementation of the resolution in close cooperation between the Lebanese army and the United Nations peacekeeping forces operating in southern Lebanon. It also urged the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities by putting an end to Israel’s land, sea, and air violations of Lebanese sovereignty and to end its occupation of Lebanese territories, while reaffirming Lebanon’s right to confront and resist this aggression by all legitimate means.

The Council reiterated its support for the Lebanese state's efforts to extend its sovereignty over its entire internationally recognised territory and to bolster its constitutional institutions in exercising their authority to enhance national unity and preserve the country’s security and stability. This begins with electing a president and forming a government capable of addressing the pressing political, security, economic, and social challenges.

The Council requested the Secretary-General of the Arab League to follow up on the implementation of this resolution, engage with Arab states, and call on specialised Arab ministerial councils and relevant Arab and international organisations and funds to provide humanitarian aid, relief, medical supplies, and life-saving medicines.

The Council also tasked Arab League missions in capitals and at international organisations with coordinating with Arab ambassadors’ councils to communicate and explain the content of this resolution.

The Council of the Arab League at the level of permanent representatives decided to keep its sessions in continuous session to monitor the situation and to call for a ministerial meeting whenever necessary.