KUWAIT: Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation returned to Kuwait after leading the country’s delegation partaking in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held in New York. The accompanying delegation of His Highness the Amir’s Representative comprised Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya, Director General of Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Sheikh Dr Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and senior officials of His Highness the Crown Prince’s Diwan.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN commits to keeping backing sustainable peace efforts, echoing his call for an immediate Gaza ceasefire. Guterres made the remarks while addressing a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held late Friday upon Algeria’s request on the Middle East situation, including the Palestinian issue. “The key to peace in the region is a political solution,” he said, calling on the international community to mobilize for an immediate ceasefire and the beginning of an irreversible process towards the end of Zionist occupation and the creation of a Palestinian State.

“I urge the Council to unite in support of an immediate ceasefire leading to a viable two-state solution. That is the only way to end this cycle of tragedy,” he added. The UN chief warned that shockwaves radiating from the unprecedented death and destruction in Gaza now threaten to push the entire region into the abyss: a full-scale conflagration with unimaginable consequences.

He added that the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice found that Zionist occupation’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful, and that occupation has an obligation to end it as rapidly as possible. On the situation in Lebanon, Guterres sounded the alarm that tar in Lebanon could lead to further escalation involving outside powers.

US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said that the recent events show that the Middle East and the world are facing a precarious moment. “The events of the past week and the past few hours underscore what a precarious moment this is for the Middle East and for the world,” he told a press conference in New York. He added that the choices that all parties make in the coming days would determine which path this region is on with profound consequences for its people, now and possibly for years to come. — KUNA