ABU DHABI: Khalifa Shaheen Almarar, Minister of State, headed the UAE delegation to the extraordinary meeting of the Arab League Ministerial Council on Wednesday January 17th, based on a request by the Federal Republic of Somalia. The session was conducted via videoconference to discuss recent developments in relations between Somalia and Ethiopia, and the repercussions of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland.

During the meeting, Almarar affirmed support for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, and reiterated the country’s support for the Federal Republic of Somalia’s government in exercising full sovereignty over its territories, in addition to working with the Arab consensus on all that it deems necessary in this regard. The minister also highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to promote stability and security in the Horn of Africa, as well as for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of exp
loring ways to coordinate with IGAD and the African Union to ensure stability in the Horn of Africa.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of a resolution to support Somalia.

Almarar also headed the UAE delegation to the extraordinary meeting of the Arab League Ministerial Council, which was held according to a request by the Republic of Iraq, to discuss the latest developments after Iran attacked multiple areas in the city of Erbil, Northern Iraq, which resulted in several deaths and destruction of civilian sites. The meeting issued a resolution that strongly condemned the attack on the Kurdistan Region, regarding it as a serious violation of the principles of good-neighbourliness, international laws, charters, and norms. The resolution also affirmed the unity and sovereignty of Iraqi territories against any foreign violation.

Source: Emirates News Agency