occupied territories, while participating here in the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development.

At the meeting organized by the United Nations and the Economic and

Social Commission for Western Asia, the head of government renewed his

call to move towards the peaceful option and to force Israel to

implement all international resolutions, especially resolution 1701.

Incidentally, Mikati demanded a halt to the Israeli aggression against

Gaza and southern Lebanon, as well as working to provide peaceful

solutions to the region’s problems, the first of which is the

Palestinian cause.

On this point, the cabinet member reaffirmed the validity of the

Palestinian people’s struggle for their rights, despite all that

Israel has done to suppress it through massacres, destruction and

annihilation.

In light of the Forum’s theme of Working for Sustainability and Peace,

Mikati encouraged all parties to cooperate and join efforts to achieve

equitable development and social justice. In this line of message, she emphasized the importance of integrating people’s livelihoods, cultural and humanitarian issues and needs into policies and programs to move towards sustainable and holistic growth.

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