A coalition of 80 countries called at the United Nations on Thursday for the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Gulf, condemning attacks by Iran and Yemen's Houthi rebels that are disrupting global maritime trade.
"We demand the full and immediate restoration of navigation rights and principles," Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani told reporters, reading a joint statement adopted following a UN Security Council meeting on the issue.
Al-Zayani was joined by European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, and Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy.
"Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten international security as well as navigation rights and freedoms," Al-Zayani said, also expressing concern over "the Houthis' decision to resume the conflict in Yemen and their continued attacks against Saudi Arabia and reckless acts at sea."
"The Houthi advance toward Bab el-Mandeb will only heighten the risks to international shipping, maritime security and global trade passing through that crucial waterway," he added.
The coalition said the threat in the region "continues to grow," pointing to a Wednesday attack of still-unknown origin against a vessel off the coast of Oman in which an Indian national was killed, and to a Houthi strike on Saudi Arabia involving six ballistic missiles.
"We reiterate our call for the urgent and complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and for the safe and unimpeded passage of vessels, without the imposition of illegal tolls, conditions or fees," Al-Zayani declared, urging "the prevention of further disruptions to global trade."
The group expressed gratitude to those working "to restore the flow of global trade" and voiced support for the International Maritime Organization, stating that "commercial shipping and maritime workers must never be used as an instrument of pressure."
Source: ANGOP / Original article: https://www.angop.ao/noticias/mundo/coligacao-de-80-paises-apela-a-restauracao-da-navegacao-no-golfo/
