Kuwait's Amir warns regional conflicts affect development, stability

Arab leaders ask Iran to stop policies fueling sectarian conflicts

26/07/2016

(Translation of this article appears in Arabic section)

NOUAKCHOTT-- The 22-nation Arab summit on Monday called for an Arab strategy against terrorism. In his opening remarks at the summit, Egypt’s Premier Sherif Ismail called for “an Arab strategy of struggle against terrorism”. “We must recast the religious language that terrorist elements exploit to their own ends to sow terror, death and destruction,” he added. “Terrorists were deflecting Islam’s message of peace,” he added.

The 27th Arab Summit reiterated support for Syria's unity, stability, and safety of its territories in accordance with Arab League's charter and principles.

The summit also affirmed full solidarity with the Syrian people in facing the dangerous daily violations that threaten their lives.

Meanwhile, it welcomed the international efforts exerted in creating the appropriate conditions for resumption of the negotiations between the Syrian opposition and government, and form a transitional governing body with full executive power based of the Geneva I Communique on June 30, 2012.

The summit urged Arab League Secretary General to continue his consultations and communication with UN Secretary General, UN Special Envoy to Syria, and all political parties in order to intensify the efforts toward making suitable atmospheres to revive the Geneva negotiation rounds, and approve the steps toward a transitional political solution for the Syrian crisis.

On the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, the summit reiterated Arab States' firm support of Syria's just right to reclaim the entire Golan Heights region to the June 4 1967 border lines.

It also rejected the Israeli settlement activities inside the Golan, condemned Israel's incessant occupation of the Syrian region since 1967, and expressed full solidarity with Syria and Lebanon in facing Israeli assaults and threats.

They lauded Bahrain's security efforts which managed to foil a "terrorist" plot last January and arrest the plotters supported by Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Lebanon's Hezbollah, which has been designated as a "terrorist" group.

Lebanon has expressed some reservations about the decision on Iran's interference in internal affairs of Arab countries and designating Hezbollah as a "terrorist" group as Beirut considers it part of the Lebanese government representing Lebanon's people.

As for Iran's occupation of the three UAE's islands: Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and Abu Moussa, the leaders stressed the UAE's full sovereignty of the islands, supporting it in all peaceful measures aiming to restore the sovereignty of the islands.

The leaders also denounced Iran's violation of UAE's sovereignty that undermines stability and security in the region, and threatens international peace and security.

The summit condemned the residential facilities built by the Iranian government in the three islands with the aim of settling Iranians there, and Iranian military maneuvers conducted on the occupied islands, and over territorial waters and airspace.

The leaders called on Iran to halt such provocative acts interfering in internal affairs of an independent and a sovereign state, indicating that this does not help build confidence and poses a threat to security and stability in the region.

They asked Iran to show its desire aiming to improve relations with Arab countries, stressing that the issue of islands will maintain at the UN Security Council until Iran ends the island's occupation.

The summit stressed that the relations between Arab countries and Iran should have been based on the principle of good neighborliness, calling for avoiding the use of force.

The leaders also condemned and denounced inflammatory and hostile remarks made by some Iranian officials against Arab countries, calling for stopping such remarks.

Kuwait's Amir warns regional conflicts affect development, stability

NOUAKCHOTT-- Critical conditions, hazardous events and accelerating changes continue to undermine stability of the region and waste time and efforts at the expense of development, and realization peoples' expectations in the Arab countries, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has stressed.

His Highness the Amir made the statement to the opening session of the 27th Arab Summit that kicked off in Mauritania's capital of Nouakschott on Monday.

They have also added fresh and dangerous dimensions to the challenges facing the joint Arab action, His Highness the Amir said.

His Highness the Amir said that the situation in Syria is getting graver and the volume of destruction, killing and homelessness is doubling, together with suffering of the "Syrian brothers." His Highness the Amir referred to the efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.

Kuwait has hosted the First, Second and Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria, and co-chaired the fourth one, His Highness the Amir said.

The humanitarian crisis in Syria is aggravating as the international community is watching and has, unfortunately, failed to conclude a political solution to end the suffering, raise Syrians' hopes, and in the meantime contribute to rid the world of the evils of terrorism that has come to pose a threat to the world' stability and has doubled victims, His Highness the Amir said.

On Yemen, His Highness the Amir referred to hopes that the conflict in the country would come to an end.

Though the political consultations for peace in Yemen Kuwait has been hosting for more than two months have not reached an agreement to end the destructive conflict there so far, hopes are pinned on the Yemeni parties to conclude one that upholds national interests and spare Yemenis' blood, he said.

The present war in this dear part of the Arab World will only increase destruction, killing and homelessness in Yemen, as well as pose threat to the country's national unity, His Highness the Amir said.

Referring to Iraq, Libya, Somalia and the Sudan, His Highness the Amir said that the situation in the four countries remain a source of deep worry, and threat to security and stability.

Brothers' suffering in these countries and the challenges they face, are tremendous, and "prompt us to stand by them and support whatever they do to put end to their suffering," His Highness the Amir said.

His Highness the Amir added that Kuwait intends to host an international conference on Somalia, "to contribute together to providing education that helps realize the aspired stability and development" for Somalis.

On the Mideast peace process, His Highness the Amir said that Israel's intransigence and arrogance remain to constitute an obstacle to realizing the aspired comprehensive and permanent peace that goes in line with resolutions of the international community and the Arab Initiative.

His Highness the Amir lauded France for hosting an international conference with an initiative to relaunch peace efforts in the region, wishing it success.

According to the Amir, Kuwait is planning to host an international conference on the suffering of the Palestinian children.

The proposed event will shed light on Israel's violation of the international conventions and norms on children's rights, he said.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir referred to relations with Iran saying that any constructive dialogue needs favorable conditions. His Highness the Amir said that the Islamic Republic needs to respect the rules and norms of the international law on good neighborliness, and also sovereignty of other countries, refraining from interfering in their internal affairs.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir said terrorism "which we are all facing, remains a threat to our security and a motive for exerting utmost efforts to face its evils and hazards." "We realize that the conformation will be fierce and requires the international community to join efforts to deter plans and criminal acts of terrorist organizations," His Highness the Amir said.

It is a comprehensive confrontation with various dimensions, educational and cultural and religious and it is "a responsibility of our countries, with their official and popular bodies, as part of the international community," His Highness the Amir concluded.

His Highness the Amir started his statement thanking Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, and people for hosting the 27th Arab Summit, as well as the hospitality and warm welcome the have manifested.

He also thanked Egyptian President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi for the efforts to enhance the joint Arab action during Egypt's presidency of the 26th Summit.

His Highness the Amir congratulated new Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abul-Gheit for taking over as post. He also thanked the League's Secretariat for their hard efforts to prepare for the Nouakschott Summit.

His Highness the Amir commended the great and distinguished efforts by the Arab League former chief Nabil Al-Araby in support of the Arab joint action.

Salam Suggests Refugee Zones inside Syria, Arab Fund

NOUAKCHOTT-- Prime Minister Tammam Salam took part in the 27th Arab Summit in Mauritania on Monday and proposed the creation of safe refugee zones inside war-torn Syria in order to alleviate the burden on the neighboring countries that are hosting displaced Syrians.

“Our summit convenes amid crises and wars that are gripping several Arab countries and posing dangerous threats to Arab national security, with the most dangerous crisis being the Syrian plight, whose flames have lashed Lebanon and subjected it to enormous strains,” Salam told the summit.

“There are around 1.5 million Syrian refugees in a country that has limited resources, a country that war has closed its borders and severed its trade routes with the Arab countries... We are a small country that is performing its brotherly duty without bragging about it. We are receiving international aid that is still insufficient compared to the needs of the refugees and the host communities,” the PM added.

“In the face of this situation, we turn to our Arab brothers and they are the ones who should hear our pleadings,” he said.

Accordingly, the prime minister suggested the creation of an “Arab commission that would push forward the idea of establishing residency zones for the refugees inside Syrian territory” and that would “convince the international community” of such a proposal.

“Catering to the needs of the Syrians on their soil is less costly for the neighboring countries and the international donors and it would be the best way to put an end to the crime of the dispersion of the Syrian people,” Salam explained.

“Until we can achieve that, we call for setting up an Arab fund aimed at boosting the host nations' capacity and at improving the refugees' living conditions,” the premier added.

Stressing that the presence of the refugees in Lebanon is “temporary,” Salam reiterated that the Syrians will not be naturalized in Lebanon.

“We are looking forward to the day when peace prevails, so that the displaced can return home,” he added.

Lebanon hosts more than one million Syrian refugees -- roughly a quarter of its population -- and has regularly been praised for opening its borders to those fleeing the brutal conflict in its neighbor.

But the refugee influx has strained resources and tempers, with some Lebanese viewing the years-long presence of Syrians as a burden, even an imposition.

Separately, Salam called on the Arab nations to go on the offensive against the “beast” of terrorism and to “utilize all security, political and ideological assets to fight it, in order to protect our security and the future of our sons, and defend our reputation in the world.”

The prime minister also stressed that Lebanon is “keen on the higher Arab interest” and on “solidarity with our Arab brothers in all their just causes,” referring to the latest spat between Lebanon and the Gulf countries over Hizbullah's policies and rhetoric.

“We are not neutral regarding anything that harms the national security of our brothers, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council nations, and we reject any interference in the affairs of the Arab countries under any slogan,” Salam stressed.

Arab leaders applaud Kuwait's plan to host conf. on suffering of Palestinian children

NOUAKCHOTT-- Arab leaders, attending the 27th Arab Summit in Nouakchott, have acclaimed Kuwait's announcement of a plan to host an international conference on the suffering of Palestinian children under the Israeli occupation.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah announced at the opening session of the summit, Kuwait is planning to host an international conference on the suffering of the Palestinian children.

The proposed event will shed light on Israel's violation of the international conventions and norms on children's rights, he said.

The Arab leaders have also welcomed the visit paid by Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah heading a senior Arab and Muslim delegation to Jerusalem and Ramallah to show solidarity with Palestinian people.

They shed lights on the Arab and international efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause, especially the French initiative to hold an international conference for peace before the end of 2016.

The stressed that the proposed conference should set multilateral mechanisms to end the Israeli occupation of the Arab and Palestinian territories since 1967 according to a timetable.

They emphasized their principled support for the right of the Palestinian people to regain their inalienable national rights, including the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on the territory occupied since June 1967.

They warned that the illegal Israeli measures to Judaize and change Arab character of Jerusalem risk provoke religious conflict in the region.

The leaders assigned the Arab group in the United Nations and Egypt, which was currently a non-permanent member in the UNSC, to work with other regional and international groups in the UN to press the international community to take action against the Israeli violations.

They asked the Arab group to present draft resolutions to the UNSC to condemn the illegal Israeli settlement activities on the Palestinian territories and to provide Palestinian people with international protection against the human rights violations committed by Israeli forces.

They reiterated the full support for the efforts of the State of Palestine to accede to international treaties and organizations.

They urged the International Quartet Group for Peace to reconsider its latest report about the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

They lamented the group for failing to differentiate between the legal obligations of the Israeli occupiers and the occupied Palestinians.

They criticized the nomination of Israel, the occupying country, to the presidency of the UN General Assembly's Legal Committee.

They categorically rejected Israeli calls for recognizing Israeli as a Jewish state, and condemned all the Israeli measure to change the geographic and demographic status quo of the occupied Palestinian territories.

They urged all Palestinian parties to intensify their efforts towards reconciliation, national unity and general elections.

Arab leaders commend Kuwait's hosting of Yemen peace talks

NOUAKCHOTT-- Arab leaders Monday commended the State of Kuwait for hosting the UN-sponsored Yemeni peace talks.

Jordanian Prime Minister Hani Mulqi, representing King Abdullah II, commended His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for hosting the Yemeni parties to try to reach a political solution for the conflict.

"We reaffirm our support for the legitimacy in Yemen, represented by President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi, and the Arab coalition's efforts to support legitimacy, to restore security and stability and territorial unity of Yemen," he said.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Jaafari, representing President Fuad Masum, thanked Kuwait for hosting the talks with the objective of ending the fighting and forming a government of national unity.

Algerian Parliament speaker Abdulqader bin Saleh, who represented President Abdulaziz Bouteflika, expressed hope the Yemeni talks reach an agreement to restore security and stability in the conflict-ridden country.

Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir thanked Kuwait for hosting the Yemeni peace talks, that the Yemeni government regain control nationwide.

President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh also supported the legitimate leadership of Yemen, welcoming the ongoing peace talks in Kuwait.

Arab League chief praises Kuwait's role in Arab humanitarian issues

NOUAKCHOTT-- Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abul-Gheit has lauded Kuwait's remarkable role in Arab humanitarian issues, especially caring for displaced people in the region.

Speaking in a joint press conference with Mauritanian Foreign Minister Isselkou Ould Ahmed Izid Bih following the 27th Arab Summit, Abul-Gheit recalled Kuwait's hosting of several international conference to rally international support to alleviate the suffering of the refugees.

Meanwhile, the Arab League chief expressed admiration of Mauritanian government's successful organization of the Arab summit.

He pointed out that the Arab leaders have taken a number of resolutions to give impetus to the joint Arab action in various domains.

On the proposal to form a joint Arab forces, Abul-Gheit said that the Arab League General Secretariat is coordinating between the Arab countries interested in joining these forces.

He, however, refused to elaborate more due to the sensitivity of the issue.

For his part, Mauritanian Foreign Minister Izid Bih said that his country's organization of the 27th Arab Summit, the first in its history, was a great challenge and it managed to succeed in it.

Mauritanian was named the host of the summit just three months ago, after Morocco's announcement that it would not be able to host it.

He added that his country is pleased by the level of the participation of Arab leaders in the summit.

Izid Bih noted that the summit resolutions have reflected Arab countries stance of the major issues of mutual interest.