Arab League, Russia discuss the situation in Jerusalem

CAIRO: Arab League Secretary General Dr Nabil Al-Araby met with Russian President’s Special Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa Mikhail Bogdanov in the Egyptian capital yesterday. During the meeting, the two sides discussed updates on the dangerous situations in Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian territories, in addition to subjects relative to the UNSC reaction toward the ongoing events. The Arab stand calls for providing an international protection for the Palestinians, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and other Christian and Islamic sanctities in eastern Jerusalem in order to end Israel’s escalated assaults and violations against the Palestinian people, who rebelled to defend its legitimate rights and challenge the Israeli schemes and attempts to Judaize Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, Al-Araby reiterates, League said in a statement. The Secretary General also stressed the importance of moving quickly with launching negotiations between the Syrian opposition and the government in order to reach an agreement which ends the bloodshed and fighting. Meanwhile, Bogdanov, who is also Deputy Foreign Minister, explained to Al-Araby reasons and circumstances that forced Moscow to increase the volume of its military intervention and air strikes against ISIL’s strongholds. He also reiterated his country’s commitment to work with various sides to find a peaceful solution for the Syrian crisis in accordance with the 2012 Geneva I Communique. —KUNA