Lavrov urges a unified position on escalations along the Gaza Strip

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Oct 2023 14:34
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The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the US monopolizing the mediation efforts in the region has only resulted in escalations.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks on the phone as he waits to attend a welcome ceremony for Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. (Sputnik via AP)

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said, during a meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Bishkek, that Russia hopes everyone will take seriously the obligation to implement the decisions of the UN Security Council to "establish a Palestinian state" based on the principles that have been endorsed in the UN once the present confrontations come to an end.

The Russian Foreign Minister said "We will see whether it will be possible to agree on a common position for its official presentation before the summit," adding that "everyone is of the same opinion — and we discussed this today in a narrow format — that it is necessary to put an immediate end to this conflict, to respect international humanitarian law, and to prevent any manifestations of terrorist actions and the indiscriminate use of force, which can and has already affected a huge number of civilians on both sides."

Lavrov also underscored that "For many decades, the United Nations' decision to establish a Palestinian State has been sabotaged," and then explained that "First of all, by the United States, which wants to monopolize, to usurp mediation efforts, and is trying to push aside Russia, the United Nations and the European Union."

In the press brief, Lavrov also highlighted that not only is the US attempting to maintain its monopolization on regional mediations, but that Washington has been further "disrupting the work of the quartet of international mediators, which includes Russia, the United States, the UN, and the European Union."

Putin asks if US aircraft carrier sent to bomb Lebanon

Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Tuesday if the United States sent aircraft carrier Gerald Ford, the biggest aircraft carrier in the world and essentially a floating military base, to bomb Lebanon in light of the escalating regional tensions in the wake of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and the subsequent Israeli aggression.

"Is [the US] going to bomb Lebanon or did they decide to scare someone? But there are people there who are no longer afraid of anything," the Russian President said, though he did not specify who said "people" are.

"I don't understand why the United States is dragging one of its aircraft carrier groups there, to the Mediterranean Sea, and is announcing a second one. I don't really see the point," Putin underlined.

On the other hand, Putin called for alternative solutions rather than the approach the United States is presently pursuing. He emphasized, "We do not need to resolve the issue in this manner; instead, we should seek compromise solutions."

"Of course, such actions escalate the situation and, of course, if the conflict goes beyond the Palestinian territory, it will of course affect (the rest of the world)," the Russian leader stressed as the Israeli occupation's allies seem to be escalating in the region.

"The Palestinian issue is at the heart of every person in this region. Yes, I believe that in the heart of everyone who professes Islam... Everything that is happening – not only now, but for decades – is perceived as a manifestation of injustice raised to some unthinkable degree," Putin said.

He pointed out that although the decision to create "two sovereign independent states, Israel and Palestine," was initially intended, it was only partially carried out.

"Moreover, part of the lands that the Palestinians have always considered to be genuinely Palestinian, it is taken by Israel – at different times and in different ways, but mostly, of course, with the help of military force," Putin underlined said.

Putin also went on to talk about the allegations Iran is facing, saying: "Now, we hear Iran is being accused of all sorts of things, as usual without evidence. Let's see, hopefully, common sense will prevail."