Russia Ready To Cooperate With Arab And Muslim Countries To Defuse Tensions In The Middle East

Maria Zakharova. (Twitter/@EmbassyofRussia)

JAKARTA - Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said Russia was ready to coordinate with Arab and Muslim partners to defuse the situation in the Middle East, in comments on the recent summit of the Arab League and Islamic Cooperation Organizations (OKI), which focused on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

"We are ready for closer coordination with our Arab and Muslim partners, as well as other countries of the same mind, in order to reduce tensions in conflict zones and shift to comprehensive political-diplomatic resolutions based on universally recognized principles," the diplomat said., reported TASS November 14.

Zakharova further pointed out, after the forum, which took place on Saudi Arabia's initiative on November 11, a statement was adopted, which included, among other things, "the call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and in Lebanon, the implementation of a resolution of the relevant General Assembly and the UN Security Council and the provision of humanitarian aid for those in need."

"This document underscores the need for general stabilization of the situation through the application of the right of the Palestinian people to establish their own country, based on international legal principles for the completion of Palestine-Israel," said Zakharova.

"The international community is asked to contribute to achieving this goal," he continued.

He added that the position negotiated in Riyadh was in line with Russia's core approach.

"We commend the intention of regional countries to play a major role in advancing the goal of ending violence in the Middle East and normalizing the situation in this vast region," he concluded.