The State of Kuwait stressed that the United Nations in general and the Security Council in particular have an important and pivotal role in ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law and strengthening the rule of law by ensuring full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly in the context of protecting civilians in conflict zones. UN peacekeepers are responsible for protecting civilians by taking the necessary measures to do so.

Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said Monday at a special UN Security Council session on the international humanitarian law that ‘The Israeli occupation of the occupied Arab territories, including Palestinian land, for more than five decades has been a flagrant violation of international conventions and norms.’

‘Israeli practices and policies constitute blatant violations of international law such as the expansion of existing settlements and the construction of new settlements - and have lasting negative consequences on the daily lives of the Palestinian people for decades,’ he stressed.

He also cited as example of the Israeli violations the findings of a recent report by the International Independent Investigation Commission on the Israeli troops' human rights violations and war crimes against protesters in Gaza Strip.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled also noted that the Syrian conflict, which has entered its ninth year, witnessed the most egregious violations of international humanitarian law including the continued and deliberate targeting of civilians and their property, installations and public facilities and the obstruction of humanitarian agencies and organizations from delivering aid to the needy people.

He stressed the need for condemning human rights violations by all warring parties and to make sure that those targeting civilians are held accountable. ’It is necessary to ensure accountability for perpetrators of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity’.

On the other hand, the Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister discussed with his Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jacek Czaputowicz ways to promote bilateral relations in all fields and frameworks for enhancing joint cooperation and effective coordination in the framework of the two non-permanent members of the Security Council, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

During the meeting, the two sides also exchanged views on the latest developments in the regional and international arenas, and discussed issues of common concern. (QNA)

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