'Attacks on Iran threaten regional stability'

Pakistan warned the UN Security Council that the US-Israeli attacks would undermine the security of the entire region "with far-reaching consequences."

"We are deeply alarmed at the risk of regional conflagration," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, told the 15-member council which met in emergency session at the request of France, China, Russia, Bahrain and Colombia on Saturday evening.

Ambassador James Kariuki of the United Kingdom, the council president for February, presided.

The Pakistani envoy regretted that the joint attacks, which violated international law, occurred when renewed diplomatic efforts were underway to reach a peaceful and negotiated solution.

At the same time, Ambassador Ahmad condemned Iran's attacks against Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, stressing Pakistan's solidarity with them, and underscoring the need to exercise maximum restraint.

He said it was especially unfortunate that some of those countries had been supporting the effort to find a diplomatic solution between the US and Iran. "We particularly laud Oman's role in facilitating and mediating dialogue between Iran and the United States."

He also condemned the unfortunate death of a Pakistani national in the UAE during this attack. "We urge all sides to refrain from any further actions that may undermine the security and territorial integrity of other regional countries."

Ambassador Asim Ahmad said diplomacy had once again been "derailed" right in the middle of efforts to reach a diplomatic solution, further eroding trust that was already in short supply.

He called on all sides to immediately halt escalation, and urgently resume diplomacy with a view to achieving a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis.

Expressing condolences to civilians caught in the middle of these violent acts, the Pakistani envoy said, "Our thoughts go out to school children in Iran and many civilians elsewhere, and the family of the Pakistani national who was killed during attacks on the UAE earlier today."

"The purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter are inviolable and sacrosanct," he pointed out, noting that the Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states.

Pakistan, he added, calls for full respect for International Law, including the UN Charter, as well as International Humanitarian Law.

"We are deeply alarmed at the risk of regional conflagration," Ambassador Asim Ahmad said, adding that the safety of millions of people in the countries of the region was also our top priority.

Pakistan, he said, is maintaining close contact and coordination with brotherly neighbouring countries, including at the leadership level. "We are ready to extend our support towards the peaceful resolution of outstanding issues."

He pointed out that Pakistan has consistently advocated the primacy of peaceful resolution of disputes and the imperative of avoiding confrontation and conflict in a region already beset by tensions and volatility.

The Pakistani envoy said that diplomacy and dialogue should be the guiding principles for achieving a negotiated settlement of all contentious issues in accordance with the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the parties concerned.

Opening the debate, UN Secretary-General António Guterres focused his remarks on principles, facts and "the way out."

Quoting from the UN Charter, he said: "All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. "International law and international humanitarian law must always be respected," he stressed.

He condemned the massive military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent attacks by Iran, violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

"We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security," he warned. "Let me be clear: There is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes.

The secretary-general described the ground situation as "very fluid."