President Sheikh Mohamed calls for Gaza ceasefire

He called upon GCC nations to continue making positive contributions to international action at summit in Doha

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  President Sheikh Mohamed, Bahrain's King Hamad, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyed Fahd bin Mahmoud, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Salem Abdullah Al Sabah and Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC at the summit in Doha. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

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  Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, speaks to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, at the 44th GCC Summit in Qatar. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

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  Sheikh Mohamed with King Hamad of Bahrain and Crown Prince Mohamed. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

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  Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, UAE National Security Adviser and Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, speaks to Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed is received by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim in Doha. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

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  Recent Gulf diplomacy has focused on securing a quick end to Israel's war in Gaza and a return to a multilateral peace process. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

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  Sheikh Mohamed is leading the UAE delegation, which includes Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, National Security Adviser and Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

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  Sheikh Mansour is welcomed by Sheikh Tamim upon his arrival in Doha. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

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  Sheikh Abdullah with GCC secretary general Jasem Al Budaiwi in Doha. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

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  Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs' Families Affairs at the Presidential Court, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed and Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, private affairs adviser in the Presidential Court, attend a reception in Doha. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

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  Sheikh Tahnoun is received by Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad upon his arrival in Doha. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

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  Other topics on the agenda of the GCC meeting include the Gulf railway project. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

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  GCC leaders are also expected to discuss tourist visa strategies for the period 2023 to 2030. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

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  Sheikh Tamim urged the UN Security Council to press Israel to return to the negotiating table. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

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  Dr Khalid Al Attiyah, Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, and Sheikh Jasem bin Hamad attend a reception for Sheikh Mohamed before the start of the GCC meeting. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

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President Sheikh Mohamed on Tuesday called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza at the 44th GCC Summit taking place in Doha.

He also stressed the need to maintain humanitarian corridors to help people in the enclave.

Sheikh Mohamed said in light of continuing tensions in the region and the increasing intensity of the war in Gaza, the UAE was working with partners to reach an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and provide protection for civilians, state news agency Wam reported.

He said the UAE was also working to avoid an expansion of the conflict – which could threaten regional stability and security – and to find a solution for comprehensive peace.

Sheikh Mohamed praised Qatar's efforts, alongside Egypt and the US, to reach a temporary truce that ensures the prompt release of detainees and increases the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

"While we regret that the truce has not continued, we urge further efforts to achieve a ceasefire," Sheikh Mohamed said.

"We also stress that the top priority remains providing humanitarian support and ensuring safe, sustained and at-scale humanitarian corridors to respond to the increasing needs of civilians in the Gaza Strip."

He said the history of the conflict has proven repeated escalation and confrontation cannot be stopped without a political resolution that would provide a lasting and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.

Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE stresses the need to end the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian lands and establish an independent Palestinian state.

Sheikh Tamim called on the UN Security Council to fulfil its responsibility to end the war, stressing regional security cannot be achieved without permanent peace, which is impossible without a solution to the Palestinian issue.

"What is happening in the Gaza Strip in terms of the occupation forces’ violation of moral and humanitarian standards is a disgrace to the international community," Sheikh Tamim said. "A temporary truce cannot be an alternative to a ceasefire in Gaza."

Greater stability and prosperity

The summit, which was also attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, addressed ways to build on the historical co-operation and joint work between GCC nations and covered key regional and international developments.

Sheikh Mohamed praised the efforts and achievements of Oman during its presidency of the 43rd Session of the Council.

“We laud achievements to date in the Gulf Co-operation Council in deepening co-operation and enhancing cohesion among our peoples," he said.

"We look forward to additional integration endeavours in various fields to promote greater stability and prosperity for our region and the entire world.”

He said the UAE, inspired by the values and principles of its Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, stresses the importance of strengthening co-operation to combat incitement, hatred, extremism and terrorism in light of regional and global developments.

Sheikh Mohamed said the region and world are facing a number of challenges, including ensuring energy and food security, enhancing efforts to mitigate climate change, promoting global health and addressing challenges related to various conflicts.

He said confronting these challenges required a balanced approach based on dialogue and diplomacy, as well as adherence to international law, principles and treaties.

He said the UAE believes in the importance of multilateral action, diplomacy and dialogue to build confidence and lay the foundations for peace based on the UN Charter and international conventions.

The GCC nations represent successful models of regional and international engagement by building partnerships and playing a constructive and effective role in the regional and international spheres, he said.

He called upon GCC nations to continue making positive contributions to international action in efforts to foster security and peace while achieving stability and prosperity.

Earlier, Sheikh Mohamed was welcomed to Doha's Hamad International Airport by Sheikh Tamim.

The UAE delegation at the summit includes Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, National Security Adviser and Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Other members of the delegation are Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs' Families Affairs at the Presidential Court; Ali Al Shamsi, secretary general of the Supreme Council for National Security, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, Khalifa Al Marar, Minister of State, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and Member of the Executive Council, and Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa, UAE ambassador to Qatar.