Addressing UN General Assembly, Badr Al-Busaidi calls for Palestinian state, full membership There should be ‘immediate’ ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, Red Sea region WASHINGTON: Oman’s foreign minister called on Saturday for an immediate end to Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon, and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Badr Al-Busaidi told the UN General Assembly in New York that Oman is fully committed to the promotion of international peace as a core mission of the organization. “Oman calls for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in Gaza, Lebanon and the Red Sea region,” he said. “We emphasize the need to address the root causes of these conflicts by ending the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and achieving justice for the Palestinian people based on a two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, along the 1967 borders,” he added. “Oman stresses the necessity of granting Palestine full membership in the UN and ending the genocidal policies carried out by Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people, alleviating the humanitarian suffering they endure.” Since last October, Israel has killed over 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza, and in the last week it has killed hundreds of Lebanese. Al-Busaidi said Oman’s foreign policy is founded on dialogue and tolerance as a means to address all challenges and issues, based on mutual respect, cooperation and harmony among nations. Domestically, he said Oman is working on building a sustainable and diversified economy, and fostering social development, including the empowerment of women and youth. Al-Busaidi added that the country’s Vision 2040 will bring empowerment and prosperity to the different segments of Omani society. He expressed Oman’s commitment to promoting “peaceful coexistence” and “respect,” and urging nations worldwide to fight “against all forms of discrimination, racism, hatred and violence.”