Saudi Arabia's Shura Council Member Saad Al-Otaibi Elected President of Arab Parliament

   Cairo, October 24, 2026, SPA -- Shura Council member Saad Al-Otaibi was elected unopposed today as President of the Arab Parliament during a procedural session held at the Arab League General Secretariat in Cairo to select the parliament's leadership and bureau members.
   In his acceptance address, Al-Otaibi expressed profound gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their continuous support and empowerment of national talent. He noted that his election reflects Saudi Arabia's prominent standing and steadfast commitment to advancing joint Arab action and solidarity.
   Al-Otaibi also extended appreciation to Shura Council Speaker Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh for his guidance and confidence, describing the achievement as a product of integrated institutional teamwork. He further thanked the heads and members of Arab legislative councils, voicing his commitment to collaborative efforts that strengthen the parliament's regional and international role.
   He outlined that the coming phase requires transitioning Arab parliamentary work from broad aspirations into measurable, results-driven programs with clear performance indicators. Emphasizing that unified Arab action is indispensable for safeguarding regional security and protecting collective interests, he stressed that solidarity is vital to overcoming contemporary challenges.
   Reaffirming the assembly's core commitments, Al-Otaibi declared that the Palestinian cause remains the Arab Parliament's paramount priority. He reiterated firm support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people—principally the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative—pledging sustained diplomatic and parliamentary advocacy worldwide.
   Concluding his remarks, the parliament president underscored that fulfilling regional aspirations is a shared responsibility, calling on members to maintain unity and solidify the institution's standing as an effective, collective voice defending Arab causes.
   -- SPA