Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Saturday led Arab foreign ministers in lambasting Turkey's military operation in northeast Syria as an "invasion of an Arab state's land and an aggression on its sovereignty".
Gheit added, during the meeting in Cairo, that the Arab League is considering taking diplomatic, economic, investment and tourism measures against Turkey.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim, president of the current Arab League session, also condemned Turkey's offensive into Syria during an emergency meeting of the body, called by Egypt.
The offensive "will exacerbate humanitarian crises, increase the suffering of the Syrian people, and strengthen the ability of terrorists to reorganize their remnants," Al-Hakim said.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir said on Saturday that the Kingdom condemns the Turkish offensive in northeast Syria.
Saudi Arabia demands an immediate halt to the military operations, he added, saying that the Turkish attack is causing the Syrian people further suffering.
Al-Jubeir said that Saudi Arabia calls for finding a political solution in Syria, and demands that all foreign forces withdraw from the country.
The UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash also condemned the Turkish offensive in northeast Syria, and called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities to stop the Turkish attacks on Syria.
“We call for the exit of Turkey and its forces, as well as all foreign forces that have violated this Arab country — and to push for a successful political solution,” Gargash said.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Khalid Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said on Saturday that the country rejects any aggression by any party against Arab countries. Al Khalifa called on the countries’ to maintain and confront any threats to Arab national security.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, who was also among the officials attending the meeting, said that Lebanon rejects the attacks on Syria.
The foreign minister added that it was in the Arab nations’ best interest to protect the region.
Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui said that the Turkish offensive in Syria will make reaching a political solution in Syria more complicated. He called for an end to the offensive, adding that it could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt previously condemned the Turkish military operation on Wednesday. The US and European countries have also condemned the Turkish move.
On Tuesday, Turkey began an air and ground offensive into northeastern Syria against Kurdish militia, opening a new front in the eight-year-old Syrian civil war, which has raised the prospect of a new humanitarian disaster.
SOURCE : SAUDIGAZETTE
