A former Jordanian foreign minister has called for a new regional framework in the Middle East built on non-interference and peaceful coexistence, warning that the international order must be reformed to prevent deeper conflicts from triggering a catastrophic reset.
Speaking in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Abdel Ilah Al-Khatib, former Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs offered a stark assessment as tensions continue to test regional stability and the current international order faces mounting pressure.
He stressed that geographical realities dictate that neighboring countries must find a way to live together peacefully, underscoring his belief that coexistence is the only viable path forward.
"These (Gulf) countries will continue to be neighbors of Iran, and Iran would continue to be a neighbor of these countries. Iran is part of the region, and these countries are part of the region. There is no other solution down the road permanently but to coexist and to try to reach an arrangement whereby each country commits not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, to not to resort to the use of power or to the threat of the use of power, to solve other relations," he said.
Regarding the establishment of a new regional framework, the former minister noted that the Middle East can draw valuable lessons from successful international models to prevent the repetition of current crisis.
"We in the region need new principles that all will adhere to, like the principles adopted by the ASEAN association, or like the principles adopted under the Helsinki Final Act - the Decalogue, they call it. There are many experiences in the world that the region can benefit from and not allow this situation to be repeated," he added.
Shifting his focus to the wider global system, Khatib shared his view on the mounting pressures facing the current international order and the risks of allowing the situation to drift unchecked.
"If we don't move quite fast to improve the situation, the situation may drift. The existing international order, which is under pressure, evolved after two world wars. Do we need a world war to establish a new order? Or are we better off if we try to improve the international order to just agree on the emergence of a better, more equitable, fair, international order to the benefit of world peace and security, and to the benefit of the whole world," he said.
Middle East needs new rules for peaceful coexistence: former Jordanian FM
