By Gulf� Today

NEW YORK: The United Arab Emirates regrets the continued Iranian occupation of its three islands, considers all actions and measures taken by the Iranian occupation authorities null and void and contrary to international law and to all norms and common human values, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan told the United Nations General Assembly on Friday night.

Sheikh Abdullah said the international community should urge Iran to respond to the repeated peaceful, sincere calls of the UAE for a just settlement of this issue, either through direct, serious negotiations or by referral to the International Court of Justice to settle this dispute.

��My Government expresses, once again, its regret regarding the continued Iranian occupation of our three islands: Abu Musa, and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and demands for the restoration of the UAE�s full sovereignty over these islands,� Sheikh Abdullah said.

�We emphasise that all actions and measures taken by the Iranian occupation authorities are null and void, and are contrary to international law and to all norms and common human values.

�We hope the Iranian government will deal with this sensitive and important issue in a positive and just manner, in order to establish good neighbourly relations, build bridges of co-operation, preserve the common interests between our two countries, and strengthen security and stability in the region as a whole.�

Turning to Middle East issues, he said what is happening in Syria is heart-breaking, exceeds all limits and breaks humanitarian norms.

�From this platform, we call upon the international community to consider with seriousness and commitment to what is happening to our brothers in Syria, and to shoulder its humanitarian and political responsibilities towards stopping the heinous tragedies committed against the peaceful people of Syria.

�We are convinced that the solution to this crisis will only be achieved through an orderly transition of power.�

This severe humanitarian crisis, he stressed, requires us to support the people of Syria, particularly the refugees, displaced and wounded persons.

Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE believes that peace and stability cannot be achieved without resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict.

This is the central and vital issue to the people of the entire region, and reaching a just solution is the key for bringing peace and stability to the whole region, which cannot be realised without putting an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian and Arab territories through Israel�s withdrawal to the lines of the June 4, 1967, including from East Jerusalem, the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and the remaining occupied Lebanese territories, and through achievement of a just and comprehensive peace in accordance with resolutions of international legitimacy, the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the Somali transition and asserted that the UAE remains committed to supporting the security and stability of Afghanistan.

He expressed deep concern about the violence against the Rohingya Muslims community in Myanmar.

 

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