JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman has told the Arab League Summit that they must not allow the Arab world to turn into a conflict zone but reassured the international community that “world peace” was near.
Saudi Crown Prince Opens Arab League Summit
The Crown Prince said: “We hope that Syria’s return to the Arab League will mark an end to the crisis in Syria.” The outgoing head of the Arab League, Algerian prime minister Aymen Benabderrahmane has called on the international community to bring the Israeli settlement policy to an end. He said: “The Palestinian cause was and still is the key issue of the Arabs.” But he also reassured the international community that “we are going towards world peace.” He also praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for hosting the event. He added all efforts to solve the current crisis in Yemen would be appreciated.
Syria’s President Bashar Al-Assad has said the Arab League’s work mechanisms and system “must be developed”, emphasising the need to stop foreign interference in Arab world affairs.
In his speech to the 32nd Arab Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arab, President Assad stressed that the Arab League must develop new strategies, procedures, mechanisms and common targets to establish future plans for combined Arab action.
President Assad Calls for Developing Arab League’s New Strategies
“We have a historic opportunity to reorganize our situation,” said the Syrian President, saying that hope is increasing with Arab-Arab reconciliation and the launch of a new stage of joint action.
Assad expressed appreciation and appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman for his great efforts for Arab reconciliation.
President Assad also thanked Arab leaders and delegations for welcoming his country back to the Arab League.
📹 | HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives the President of Ukraine @ZelenskyyUa. pic.twitter.com/JOLUUCLx82
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) May 19, 2023
Ukrainian President Zelensky – who had arrived in the Kingdom a short time before – told delegates his nation was in a state of war – not just a conflict. He lauded the Saudi mediation for the release of the detainees.
Similarly, the Russian President on Friday sent a cable to the Arab League saying Russia would continue to provide all assistance and support to settle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He said that Russia intended to expand its cooperation with Arab nations, and remained keen to assist efforts to resolve the crises in Sudan, Yemen and Libya.
In his speech, Jordan’s King Abdullah II told the summit that the system of joint Arab action needed the cooperation between the nations to be strengthened. He said: “A reasonable and comprehensive peace will only be achieved through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The King said the crisis in Syria had also come at a high price. “We welcome Syria return to the Arab League,” he maintained.
Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said Arab nations were going through a harsh time. “Preserving the national organizations of our nations is necessary,” he added.
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said Egypt was continuing its efforts to bring stability to Gaza, and the President affirmed the need to establish a Palestinian state to attain regional peace.
On the occasion, Palestine’s President Mahmoud Abbas called on the world to “provide safety to the Palestinians,” and to “resort to all international courts to reinstate our rights.” He also thanked his Arab neighbors for their help and support. “We commend the solid positions of Arab leaders towards the Palestinian cause.”
Tunisian President Kais Saied also condemned what he described as the world’s inaction over Palestine.
He added “There must be an end to the violations against the Palestinians and the international community’s silence towards them,”.
Earlier, Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman welcomed dignitaries through the afternoon for the start of the Arab League Summit in Jeddah. Among the most distinguished arrivals for the meeting was Syria’s President Basha Assad, who was greeted by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman before the pair shook hands and then posed for a photograph.
A short time before the opening of the Arab League Summit, images were transmitted around the world of Ukrainian president Zelensky as he arrived for what he described as a historic trip to build ties with Arab nations.
📹 | Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan and Iraq’s Foreign Minister Dr. @Fuad_Husseein, chaired the 4th meeting of the Political, Security, and Military Committee of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council in Jeddah. 🇸🇦🇮🇶 pic.twitter.com/il7fo9heEe
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) May 18, 2023
