Arab League chief: Gulf security vital to Arab world, Palestine remains top priority

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy has emphasized that Gulf security is an inseparable part of Arab national security, reiterating that Palestine remains the foremost issue for the Arab world and rejecting the use of maritime corridors as bargaining chips in international disputes.

Speaking at the opening session of the 166th Arab League Council at the ministerial level, held today at the League’s headquarters, Fahmy said the Arab world is experiencing a critical period that demands heightened vigilance, unity, and responsibility. He cited escalating conflicts, arms races, and declining trust in multilateral institutions, warning that the current era is witnessing the dominance of the "law of force over the force of law."

Fahmy stressed that the transformations underway in the Arab world and the Middle East pose existential challenges and risks. He explained that achieving Arab sovereign decision-making does not mean isolation or overreliance on others, but rather requires Arab integration to strengthen national capacities and support international engagement.

He noted that the strategic bonds uniting Arab states far outweigh any tactical differences, adding that threats to any Arab country affect the entire region, while opportunities available to one state can, through cooperation, become broader gains for the Arab nation.

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Fahmy revealed plans to propose a "renewed Arab agenda" based on three pillars: confrontation, development, and growth. This includes confronting challenges, building comprehensive national security capabilities, sustaining human and institutional development, and achieving creative, sustainable growth that respects citizens’ rights and strengthens Arab cooperation.

He said he intends to consult with Arab leaders and foreign ministers in member states to shape this vision, emphasizing the need for proactive, effective practices that prioritize action over words.

Fahmy affirmed that the Arab League must remain "a home for all Arabs," committed to protecting Arab interests, supporting capacities, and consolidating stability. He announced efforts to enhance the League’s mechanisms to better anticipate and identify risks, manage crises, and support Arab decision-making with information, expertise, and forward-looking vision.

In this context, he announced the creation of a Center of Excellence to serve as an Arab platform for expertise and strategic analysis on emerging threats, with a focus on preventive diplomacy, early warning, crisis management, and supporting settlement efforts.

On Gaza, Fahmy said the humanitarian suffering continues, noting that around 300 Palestinian children have been killed since the ceasefire. He criticized what he described as Israel’s intransigence and delays in implementing the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit commitments, warning that this undermines the transition from a ceasefire to genuine peace.

He added that the West Bank and Jerusalem continue to witness Israeli violence and settler attacks, alongside expanding settlements, land confiscations, home demolitions, and repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Fahmy pointed out that Israeli attacks also extend to southern Lebanon and Syrian territories, with repercussions in the Red Sea and Somalia. He stressed that the Arab world seeks peace and stability while remaining committed to defending Palestinian rights, establishing an independent Palestinian state, ending occupation, and preserving the sovereignty of Arab states.

He revealed that the League plans to launch a unified coordination mechanism linking Arab observatories and relevant departments within the General Secretariat. The aim is to standardize monitoring and documentation of Israeli violations of international law and UN resolutions, producing regular reports to inform political, media, and legal action.

On internal League reforms, Fahmy said he has, since his first day in office, directly overseen the work of the General Secretariat’s sectors. He noted that while some sectors deliver professional work and important initiatives, others require development, clarification of overlapping responsibilities, and more efficient resource use.

He added that some areas may need restructuring, the creation of a limited number of new positions, and the recruitment of additional qualified staff. He pledged to present these needs to member states in a clear and justified manner after consultations.

Fahmy concluded by affirming that while the challenges facing the Arab world are significant, the capabilities of the Arab nation are greater, thanks to its youth, resources, strategic location, longstanding political and diplomatic experience, and political weight.