(AFP PHOTO / FADEL SENNA)
Nabil Fahmy reiterated Egypt’s support of the Palestinian people and accused the Israeli authorities of attempting to change the identity of Jerusalem, calling for international resolutions relating to the city to be implemented.
Speaking on Saturday at the 20th session of the Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Committee held in Marrakech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said: “Egypt will spare no effort in providing all forms of support and assistance to our Palestinian brothers.”
Fahmy said there is a currently a “fierce attack” upon Jerusalem, saying the Israeli authorities are attempting to “isolate the city, culturally, economically and financially, but seeks to change the nature of the demographic of the city through arbitrary measures aimed at the displacement of its Palestinian citizens.” He described the restrictions on Palestinians as “a stranglehold on the lives of Palestinians”.
The minister demanded the implementation of several international resolutions relating to the city of Jerusalem, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 681, which stipulates that the provisions of the fourth Geneva Convention apply to Jerusalem. The convention relates to protecting civilians during periods of conflict. He also called for a ministerial contact group to visit “a number of influential countries” to express “the need to protect Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” the third holiest site in Islam.
Fahmy expressed Egypt’s support for Palestine in the ongoing final status negotiations with Israel. He also invited “all Arab and Islamic countries to support the legitimate struggle of the Paslestinian people and is leadership towards self-determination on the entire national soil in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”
The Al Quds Committee, which is an arm of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, was established in 1975 and aims to review any resolutions relating to the issue of Palestine and see that they are implemented.
Fahmy also met with ruler of Morocco, King Mohamed VI, to whom he presented a letter from interim President Adly Mansour “which is a message of love and appreciation” for the monarch’s continued “support of Egypt and its people”.
The minister also participated in a closed door meeting with the King, participating foreign ministers as well as observing diplomats from Russia, the United States, Britain, France, China and the Vatican, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A ministry spokesman announced that Fahmy and his Moroccan counterpart will meet on Sunday to continue “the third session of the mechanism of political and strategic consultations between Egypt and Morocco”.
