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Saudi Arabia announced an international initiative to seek a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli crisis, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan unveiled the Global Alliance to Implement a Two-State Solution between Palestine and Israel, an initiative developed with the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation and European allies.
In a speech at the ministerial meeting on the Palestinian issue, Prince Faisal criticised Israel's argument behind killing more than 41,500 people in Gaza since October 7, in retaliation for Hamas's attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200.
“Self-defence cannot justify the killing of tens of thousands of civilians and the practice of systematic destruction, forced displacement, the use of starvation as a tool of war, incitement and dehumanisation, and systematic torture in its most heinous forms, including sexual violence and other crimes documented according to United Nations reports,” Prince Faisal said.
The threat of a regional war persists as Israel and Hezbollah exchange cross-border attacks, Prince Faisal said. At least 700 people have been killed since Israel's escalation in Lebanon began, with the threat of a ground invasion looming.
“We are witnessing these days a dangerous regional escalation that affects the sisterly Lebanese Republic and leads us to the risk of a regional war that threatens our region and the entire world,” Prince Faisal said.
Israel denied claims that a ceasefire had been reached on Lebanon and said it was holding talks with US officials over a truce proposal. “We demand an immediate end to the ongoing war and all violations of international law, and to hold accountable all those who obstruct the peace process and to prevent them from threatening the security of the region and the entire world,” Prince Faisal added.
He also criticised the “selective application” of international humanitarian law amid breaches of the “most basic standards of equality, freedom and human rights”, in an apparent reference to Israel's impunity.
The establishment of a Palestinian state is a right and a basis for peace, he said, and not a final outcome in a “distant political process”. Prince Faisal praised a recent UN resolution ordering Israel to end its occupation of Palestine.
“We affirm our appreciation for the countries that recently recognised Palestine, and we call on all countries to be courageous and take the same decision, and join the international consensus represented by the 149 countries that recognise Palestine,” he said. “Implementing the two-state solution is the best solution to break the cycle of conflict and suffering, and enforce a new reality in which the entire region, including Israel, enjoys security and coexistence.”
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The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
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Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
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