Civilians must not pay price for military escalation, GCC tells UN

Agencies | New York

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has expressed great concern about the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and urged all participants to protect civilians and work to resolve the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.

Speaking on behalf of the GCC, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Abdulaziz Alateek expressed the council’s support for international efforts to encourage calm and a de-escalation of tensions and urged those involved in the conflict to begin political discussions to find a solution.

He called for the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2202.

Alateek conveyed the GCC's stance during a plenary session of the UN General Assembly to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine.

"Civilians do not have to pay the price for military escalation,” Alateek told the representatives of more than 70 countries at the meeting.

The GCC states stress the depth of their relations with all concerned parties, and from this standpoint, call on all parties to calm down, exercise restraint, and work to end this crisis as quickly as possible and through diplomatic means, he said.

This should be done in a manner that meets the interests of all parties and spares civilians the consequences of escalation and further humanitarian difficulties, he added.

The GCC, established in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.