Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit on the situation in Gaza, Lebanon, and the Middle East tensions. Heads of the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the military actions of Israel and their implications on the region.
Sharif, who reached Riyadh Sunday night, would join a series of Muslim leaders in focusing on the issue. Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have claimed over 43,000 casualties since October last year, and its invasion of Lebanon have been widely condemned. The summit would look at ways of solving these crises and keeping regional peace.
The prime minister’s office statement also confirmed Sharif’s presence at the summit, saying he would meet Saudi Arabia’s investment minister and the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League on the sidelines. The prime minister is likely to reaffirm strong Pakistani support for the Palestinian cause in this address.
It follows up the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit held last November that zoomed in similarly on Palestinian rights and the broader Middle East conflict. Pakistan has continuously been a vocal supporter of an independent Palestinian state and especially condemned Israel’s actions as war crimes.
Before the summit, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, also participated in an OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Riyadh, while urging accountability for actions by Israel. In addition, Pakistan has already sent over 1,300 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza and Lebanon.
After the summit, Sharif will travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, where he will attend the World Leaders Climate Action Summit on Tuesday.
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