GCC Secretary General Affirms GCC's Support for Syria on All Fronts, Particularly in Improving Living and Humanitarian Conditions of Syrian People

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi emphasized the GCC countries' unwavering commitment to supporting the Syrian Arab Republic on all fronts, with priority given to improving the living and humanitarian conditions of the Syrian people.
 He highlighted the provision of relief and developmental support to Syria to meet the basic needs of the Syrian people, facilitate the return of displaced persons and refugees to their homes, and promote political and security stability, economic recovery, and development. He stressed that necessary steps must be taken to achieve these goals and to mobilize humanitarian and developmental support for Syria.
 This statement was made during the secretary general’s participation in the Riyadh meeting on Syria, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on January 12 in the Saudi capital. The meeting was attended by several ministers of foreign affairs from GCC, Arab, and Western countries, as well as representatives of international organizations.
 At the start of his speech, the secretary general extended his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting this meeting. He welcomed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic Asaad Al Shibani and his accompanying delegation, expressing his great pleasure at their presence at this significant meeting, which reflects the joint commitment to supporting Syria and its people during this transitional and sensitive phase. Albudaiwi also conveyed his greetings and appreciation to the entire Syrian people, wishing them safety, security, stability, and prosperity.
 In his speech, Albudaiwi addressed the developments in the Syrian Arab Republic, noting the steadfast positions of the GCC countries and their continuous commitment to ensuring Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. He highlighted that the 46th extraordinary session of the GCC Ministerial Council, held on December 26, 2024, in Kuwait, discussed developments in Syria and reaffirmed the council's fixed positions toward supporting Syria and its people.
 “This includes respecting the sovereignty, independence, and territorial unity of the Syrian Arab Republic; rejecting foreign interference in its internal affairs; countering terrorism and chaos; combating extremism and incitement; respecting diversity without offending others' beliefs; and supporting all efforts to achieve a comprehensive and inclusive transitional process that fulfills the aspirations of the Syrian people for stability, development, and a dignified life,” Albudaiwi said.
 Elaborating further, the secretary general stated: “It was emphasized that Syria's security and stability are fundamental pillars of regional security. The meeting welcomed steps taken to ensure civilian safety, prevent bloodshed, support national reconciliation, preserve Syrian state institutions and resources, and disband militias and armed factions while limiting arms to state control. These measures are considered essential for preserving security and stability in Syria and reinstating its regional role and international standing.”
 Albudaiwi also explained that the meeting welcomed UN Secretary General António Guterres's call to establish a UN mission to assist and oversee Syria's transitional process, underscoring adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, including state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, good neighborliness, and peaceful dispute resolution, to maintain regional and international peace and security.
 He further noted the Arab Ministerial Contact Committee’s December 14, 2024, statement in Aqaba, which supported UN-led efforts to help the Syrian people achieve a Syrian-led political process, care for refugees and displaced persons, and ensure their voluntary and safe return to their homes according to international standards.
 “The repeated Israeli attacks on the friendly Syrian Arab Republic were condemned, including the occupation of the buffer zone on the Syrian border—a gross violation of Syrian sovereignty and the disengagement agreement of 1974. The international community's responsibility to halt these aggressions on Syrian territories and demand Israel's withdrawal from all occupied Syrian lands was underscored. It was reaffirmed that the Golan Heights is Syrian Arab land, and the expansion of settlements in the occupied Golan by the Israeli occupation was denounced as a severe violation of the UN Charter, principles of international law, and relevant Security Council resolutions,” Albudaiwi said. He further emphasized the need to lift sanctions on Syria to enable its economic recovery and urged all partners and concerned organizations to provide comprehensive support to the Syrian people.
 The secretary general also noted several decisions made at the 46th extraordinary GCC Ministerial Council meeting, which significantly contributed to supporting Syria on all levels. These included tasking a GCC delegation, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Abdullah Al Yahya and the GCC Secretary General, to visit Syria.
 “This delegation met with the leadership of the new Syrian administration and conveyed a message of the GCC’s support and solidarity with Syria and its people during this critical phase, affirming the content of the press statement issued by this extraordinary meeting toward Syria and its people,” Albudaiwi said.
 He also highlighted plans for an international donors' conference, coordinated with the UN and the Arab League, to mobilize resources for Syria's reconstruction and development. This conference would invite influential countries involved in the Syrian crisis and all concerned parties to extend support for rebuilding Syria.
 In conclusion, Albudaiwi reaffirmed the GCC's commitment to supporting Syria’s resurgence, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to help the Syrian people achieve stability, prosperity, and a dignified future.
 He also congratulated President Joseph Aoun on his election as president of the Republic of Lebanon and reaffirmed the GCC's support for Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and stability. Albudaiwi condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon and called for international efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Lebanon, while commending the assistance provided by GCC countries to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people.