Do not escalate situation in Middle East: Minister
Malaysia reiterates main objective is to find peace, permanent solution to plight of Palestinians, not widen conflict
Malaysia, in its response to developments following Iran’s attack on Israel early Sunday (Malaysian time), strongly urges all parties in the Middle East region to exercise great caution not to escalate the already tense situation.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in a statement yesterday urged the parties concerned to de-escalate and create the necessary environment to end the conflict immediately.
“Malaysia reiterates that the main objective is to find peace and a permanent solution to the plight of the Palestinian people and not widen the conflict.”
Anadolu Agency in its report quoted the Israeli army as saying that Iran had attacked Israel with 290 missiles and drones, including 100 ballistic missiles.
Iran began an airborne attack on Saturday against Israel in retaliation for an April 1 airstrike on its diplomatic facility in the Syrian capital which killed at least seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two top generals.
Tehran had accused Israel of carrying out the attack and vowed to respond. Tel Aviv has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack but Iran and Hezbollah, its main ally in Lebanon, had said the attack would not go unpunished.
Mohamad said the attack by Iran was in response to the illegal bombing by Israel of the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1.
Iran posits that its actions are an act of self defence and is provided for in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations (UN) Charter.
He added that after the attack had ended, Iran through its Permanent Mission at the UN announced that it considers its actions against Israel justifiable and “can be deemed concluded”.
Mohamad said Iran has, however, asserted that should the Israeli regime or its allies “make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe”, thus creating a never-ending cycle of violence.
He said any further form of provocation and/or retaliation could ignite a devastating regionwide conflict that would not serve the region or the Palestinian cause, Bernama reported.
He added that the international community is also reminded not to lose sight of the objective of ensuring the freedom of the Palestinians and their right to their own land.
“Any distraction from this objective is what Israel wants, which is to deflect the global community’s attention from its nefarious inhumane and unconscionable acts in Palestine.”
He said Malaysia further echoes the call by the UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Mohamad said any form of attack, offensive or defensive, would have consequences if it spirals out of control.