Health Minister Issues Statement at Conclusion of Extraordinary

Riyadh, January 13, SPA -- Minister of Health and Chairman of the
Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Health Ministers Dr. Hamad
bin Abdullah Al-Manie said the Extraordinary Meeting of Arab Health
Ministers held in Riyadh today aimed at studying the tragic health
and human developments in Gaza Strip as a result of the brutal
Israeli aggression and taking the necessary procedures to alleviate
the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

In a press conference following the meeting, Dr. Al-Manie said that
the meeting has issued Riyadh Statement as follows:
First: In view of the deteriorating health situation in Gaza Strip
in general and health facilities there in particular, the Arab Health
Ministers call for opening of hospitals in the Arab countries at all
levels to provide treatment for the wounded Palestinians and request
eligible Arab States to provide field hospitals in Gaza Strip in
coordination with international health organizations.
Second: They call on the leaders of Arab States to urge the
international community to assume its responsibilities towards
providing a comprehensive humanitarian protection, including the
health sector, for the citizens of Gaza Strip in accordance with
international conventions, citing the 4th Geneva Convention, its
Three Additional Protocols and the international humanitarian law.
Third: They hold the Israeli occupation responsible for the damage it
inflicted on hospitals, health centers and health staff in Gaza as
well as on the political, legal and financial infrastructure,
authorizing the Arab League to take the appropriate legal procedures
in this regard.
Fourth: They call for designing an Arab plan to meet the
requirements of the coming period, especially the needs of the health
situation in the occupied territories, giving priority to the
programs for maternal, child care and critical cases.
Fifth: They will keep following-up the developments of the health
situation with the relevant authorities.
Sixth: They call for activating the role of the Arab Health
Emergency Committee as per the resolutions of today's meeting in
Riyadh.
Seventh: They call for an integrated media campaign across the Arab
world through the Arab League to win the support of the entire world
for the just Palestinian question.

--SPA