WANA (Sep 09) – Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, warned during a meeting today (Monday) with ministers from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Saudi Arabia that the Middle East is on the brink of a major “regional war”. He emphasized that resolving the Palestinian issue is crucial to preventing this crisis.

 

Lavrov, who travelled to Saudi Arabia for strategic dialogue with the GCC, stated, “Without resolving the Palestinian-Israeli issue, achieving sustainable development in the Middle East is impossible.”

 

Lavrov also highlighted the worsening situation in Gaza and the increasing tensions between Israel and Iran, noting that the international community has failed to halt the war and violence in Gaza. He criticized the role of the United States in blocking international resolutions for a ceasefire.

 

He reiterated that Russia and the GCC will continue their efforts to establish a ceasefire and an independent Palestinian state.