New York, Feb. 19 (SANA) Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Wednesday that peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved as long as Israeli occupation of Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese territories continues.
Speaking at a U.N. Security Council session on the Middle East, Safadi said efforts toward peace are undermined by the expansion of occupation and instability in the region. He reiterated that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Safadi said Israel’s occupation of additional Syrian territory and actions affecting Syria’s stability contradict efforts to support the country’s recovery after years of conflict. He noted that Syria’s new government has begun rebuilding the country and has stated it poses no threat to other states.
Safadi questioned Israel’s motives in occupying additional Syrian land and warned against “pushing the region toward chaos and instability.”
He added that continued Israeli presence in Lebanese territory and failure to adhere to ceasefire arrangements weaken prospects for de-escalation.
