PA-UfM Welcomes US-Iran Agreement to End Military Operations

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM), chaired by MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein, has welcomed the agreement reached between United States (U.S.) and Iran to immediately and permanently terminate all military operations across various fronts, including Lebanon, and to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

In an official statement, the PA-UfM regarded this agreement as a significant step toward establishing peace, reducing regional tensions, and enhancing the stability of the global economy, which will positively reflect on the peoples of the region and the world. 

Moreover, PA-UfM stressed that dialogue, diplomacy, and strict adherence to the provisions of international law and the United Nations Charter represent the ideal path for resolving conflicts and achieving sustainable peace, adding that this approach preserves the sovereignty of states, safeguards the interests of peoples, and spares them the scourges of war and further human suffering.

Moreover, the Assembly emphasized the importance of the agreement serving as a starting point for a new phase of de-escalation and confidence-building that would support security and stability in the region and create a favorable environment for diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing various unresolved regional issues, foremost among them the Palestinian issue, which it described as the core conflict in the Middle East and the key to its genuine stability.

Furthermore, the Assembly called for renewed international focus on the situation faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, and for the completion of the remaining provisions of the first phase of President Trump's plan, followed by the implementation of the second phase, leading to a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution, noting that this would ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.

The Assembly also praised the sincere and responsible efforts exerted by Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, and other regional and international partners, which contributed to de-escalation, bridging views, and creating the conditions that led to this agreement.

Furthermore, it called upon all parties to fully commit to its implementation and build upon it to address outstanding issues through dialogue and peaceful means, leading to a permanent agreement that enhances regional and international security and stability.

Additionally, the Assembly asserted the necessity of committing to the cessation of military operations in Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israel from all Lebanese territories, stressing that this would allow Lebanese state institutions to extend their sovereignty over their entire territory, guarantee that weapons are exclusively held by the state, and reinforce stability while preserving Lebanon's unity and territorial integrity.

Furthermore, PA-UfM reaffirmed its firm commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at consolidating peace and stability. It also expressed its readiness to continue its role in promoting parliamentary diplomacy and building bridges of dialogue and understanding among peoples and nations, based on its belief that peace is the foundation of sustainable development, shared prosperity, and cooperation throughout the Mediterranean region and the wider world.