Pakistan calls for resumption of diplomacy to resolve ME crisis:Asim Iftikhar

Ney York:At the United Nations, Pakistan has called on all sides to immediately halt escalation and urgently resume diplomacy with a view to achieving peaceful and negotiated resolution to the crisis in the Middle East.

This was stated by Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, while speaking in the UN Security Council briefing under agenda "The Situation in the Middle East".

He said Pakistan condemns the initiation of unwarranted attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran, in violation of international law. He added that these attacks came at a time when renewed diplomatic efforts were underway to reach a peaceful and negotiated solution.

The Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN said such a course of action will undermine the peace and stability of the entire region, with far reaching consequences.

He said Pakistan also condemns the attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and stands in solidarity with all these brotherly countries and underscores the need to exercise maximum restraint.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan particularly lauds Oman's role in facilitating and mediating dialogue between Iran and the United States but these unprovoked attacks constitute blatant violations of the sovereignty of the brotherly Gulf States. 

He urged all sides to refrain from any further actions that may undermine the security and territorial integrity of other regional countries.

He said that Pakistan offers condolences and sympathies to civilians caught in the middle of these violent acts. Our thoughts go out to school children in Iran and many civilians elsewhere; and the family of the Pakistani national who was killed during attacks on the United Arab Emirates.

The Permanent Representative said that Pakistan reiterates the call for full respect for international law, including the UN Charter, as well as international humanitarian law.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan has consistently advocated the primacy of peaceful resolution of disputes and diplomacy and dialogue should be the guiding principles for achieving negotiated settlement of all contentious issues in accordance with the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the parties concerned.