Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met with US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf in New York. The two sides discussed the agenda for the upcoming joint ministerial meeting for the strategic partnership between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United States, which will be held during the High-Level Week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. During the meeting, the GCC Secretary-General emphasized that the ongoing events in the region, particularly the serious Israeli violations of Palestinian and Lebanese territories, require immediate and serious action by the international community and effective international powers to halt these violations, protect the lives of innocent civilians, and ensure respect for international laws, charters, and customs. Albudaiwi said the ongoing Israeli escalation poses a serious threat to security and stability in the region, warning of the dire consequences that may arise from this explosive situation. He called for an urgent and effective action to stop the escalation and work towards an immediate ceasefire, while adhering to relevant international and UN resolutions. The GCC-US joint ministerial meeting will address bilateral topics and important regional issues such as the situation in Gaza, and explore ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the GCC and the United States to achieve mutual interests. Source: Qatar News Agency