Arab League Summit concludes in Saudi Arabia, adopts Jeddah Declaration

Gulf Today Report

The 32nd Arab League Summit concluded in the Saudi city of Jeddah by adopting the Jeddah Declaration, which calls for Arab unity to solve regional issues, state media reported.

The declaration welcomed Syria's readmission to the Arab League (AL), vowing to intensify pan-Arab efforts to help Syria tackle its crisis, Al Arabiya TV reported on Friday.

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It underlined the Arab Peace Initiative to solve the Palestinian issues, urged for the de-escalation of tension in Sudan, called for the election of a new Lebanese President and the required reforms to lift Lebanon out of its crisis, and supported initiatives to promote security and stability in Yemen, Xinhua news agency reported.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, said the UAE supports all efforts to promote stability and peace in the region.

During the 32nd Arab Summit held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, His Highness Sheikh Mansour stressed that the best way to ensure development and prosperity in the Arab region is through cooperation.

Mohammed Bin Salman shakes hands with Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and King of Saudi Arabia, and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, for their hospitality and excellent preparations for the summit.

The declaration rejected foreign interference in the domestic affairs of Arab countries and "categorically rejected all support for the formation of armed groups and militias outside the scope of state institutions".

At a press conference to brief on the summit, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud was quoted by Al Arabiya TV as saying that the Jeddah Declaration will reinforce joint Arab work.

UAE's Vice President Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan attends the Arab League Summit in Jeddah. AFP

The Minister affirmed that the Palestinian cause remains the Arab's pivotal cause, expressing hope that Syria's return to the Arab fold would contribute to ending the Syrian crisis, and called on the Sudanese warring parties to resort to dialogue to put an end to the current armed clashes.

AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit highlighted the success of the Jeddah summit in achieving its goal, expressing hope that the summit would be a beginning for the Arab countries to grasp their fate in their own hands.

The 32nd Arab League Summit kicked off in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Friday with the participation of Arab leaders to discuss regional and global issues that are crucial to the region's stability.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi talks with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Reuters

Syrian President Bashar Al Assad attended the summit for the first time since his country was suspended from the Arab League after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011.

In the summit, Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane handed over the rotating presidency of the Arab League to Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud.