‘We cannot afford another war’ – President Ali calls for end to Iran/Israel conflict

Amid Israel’s attacks on Iran and the recent military escalation in the region, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali called for an immediate end to the ongoing conflict on Monday as he addressed a forum ceremony hosted to mark the 77th anniversary of the death of the Enmore Martyrs.

“We have made a call today for both parties to respect international conventions, international law… We cannot afford another war,” President Ali stressed in his address.

Consequences of another war, the President explained, include the senseless loss of lives, the destruction of property, and the increased cost of goods like fuel and food.

Since Friday, Israeli strikes have killed more than 200 people in Iran, including top generals and scientists but also civilians. AP News reported that Iran has retaliated by launching hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel, some of which have penetrated Israel’s vaunted aerial defense system, killing two dozen people so far.

AP News further reported that Israel said the attack was necessary to prevent Iran from building an atomic weapon. Iran has always insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, and U.S. intelligence agencies and the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, have repeatedly said Iran was not pursuing a nuclear weapon when Israel unleashed its airstrikes.

Guyana’s official position on the matter, President Ali said, is that there must be peace.

Earlier Monday, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, told a meeting of the UN Security Council that Israel’s latest attack on Iran contravenes the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

“Guyana reiterates its appeal to both Israel and Iran to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid any further maneuvers that could plunge the entire Middle East into further turmoil, or worse, result in a nuclear catastrophe. The world simply cannot afford any miscalculations. The consequences for civilians could be catastrophic.

“Guyana, therefore, urges both Israel and Iran to fully comply with their obligations under international law and relevant resolutions adopted by this Council,” she said.