HM King urges Arab stance to confront challenges

Manama, Mar. 31(BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa urged unity, joint work, coordination and cooperation in light of current challenges and threats confronting the Arab region. He underscored the importance of joining ranks to achieve the common interests of the Arab nation, promote comprehensive development, enhance education, build the economy and maintain security and stability. This came in a keynote address, read on HM the King’s behalf by His Highness Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, who led Bahrain’s delegation to the 30th Arab Summit in Tunis. HM the King congratulated Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on assuming the presidency of the 30th Arabia Summit, wishing him success and his country and people further progress and prosperity. He extended deepest thanks and appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, commending his dedicated efforts and pan-Arab contributions during his presidency of the outgoing 29th Summit. In a keynote address to the 30th Arab Summit, read on his behalf by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, HM the King urged just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region. He reiterated support to the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to establish a fully independent and sovereign state with the borders dating back to June 4, 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the Arab Peace Initiative, the two state solution and the international resolutions. He underlined the necessity of preserving the historic status of East Jerusalem for Arabs and Muslims. HM the King stressed the importance of protecting Syria’s independence, stability, national unity and territorial integrity, commending efforts to reach a political settlement on the basis of Geneva 1 declaration and the UN resolutions. He urged active Arab role to ensure Syria’s sovereignty on all its territories, including the Golan Heights, which were colonized in 1967, rejecting any foreign claims or decisions, affirming that the Golan Heights are colonized Arab and Syrian territories as per the international resolutions. He backed efforts to root out terrorist groups and regional and international interference towards achieving the Syrian people’s aspiration to achieving stability and development. He voiced support to the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Syria Geir O. Pedersen. He voiced concern over the current situation in Yemen, in light of flagrant Iranian interference and blatant support to the coup Houthi militias, which are seeking to subvert all agreements, including the Sweden deal, so as to maintain chaos, insecurity and instability in Yemen and the region. HM the King reiterated support to Yemen’s legitimate rule, territorial integrity and independence, stressing the necessity of reaching a comprehensive political settlement on the basis of the Arab initiative and executive mechanisms, the outcome of the national dialogue and Riyadh conference and the UN Security Council resolution 2216 for 2015. HM the King backed efforts to achieve national reconciliation rebuild the Libyan state so that it could play its role in combating terrorism, maintaining the country’s independence and territorial integrity. He reiterated support to the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Libya Dr. Ghassan Salam. He reaffirmed Bahrain Bahrain’s condemnation of the scourge of terrorism, urging international concerted efforts to combat extremist ideologies and terrorist groups and dry up terror finance, strongly condemning the terrorist acts which are perpetrated in the name of Islam or those heinous attacks targeting innocent Muslims all over the world. He described Iran as the main sponsor of terrorism, underlining Tehran’s blatant threat to regional and international security and stability through its blatant interference in the international affairs of the Arab countries, support to violent, extremist and terrorist groups. He underlined the danger of the Iranian ballistic programme on the region, stressing the need to exert more international efforts put the pressure on Iran to comply with the principles of good neighborliness and respect the sovereignty and independence of other countries, as stipulated in international conventions. He voiced support to Emirati sovereignty of the three islands - Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb islands – which are colonized by Iran, calling on Iran to respond the UAE efforts to settle this issue either through direct negotiations of via the International Court of Justice. HM the King commended the strenuous efforts exerted by the Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit to bolster the General Secretariat and consolidate the role of the Arab league to achieve its goals.