The Summit also called for cooperation in ensuring food and energy security, confronting climate change, as well as ending the crises in some Arab countries….reports Asian Lite News
The 31st Arab League (AL) Summit concluded with the adoption of the Algiers Declaration which calls for joint action to tackle the regional and global challenges.
The declaration on Wednesday warned of the risks brought by changing international situation posed to Arab national security and stability, stressing the importance of unifying efforts to preserve Arab common interests, reports Xinhua news agency.
It also called for cooperation in ensuring food and energy security, confronting climate change, as well as ending the crises in some Arab countries.
According to the declaration, the Arab leaders reiterated their full support for the establishment of an independent state of Palestine on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, while urging Israel to halt its attacks against Palestinians and end its blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Referring to the Libya issue, the Arab leaders vowed to make all efforts to end the crisis through an inter-Libyan process in accordance with United Nations resolutions and with respect to Libya’s unity, stability, and sovereignty.
The declaration suggested that Arab states should play a key role in settling the Syrian crisis while addressing the country’s political, security, humanitarian, and economic challenges.
The Arab leaders further expressed support for the incumbent government in Yemen and commitment to extending the truce.
The Arab leaders also agreed to work on establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East as part of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The two-day summit was the first meeting of the regional body since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Economic development summit
Arab leaders meeting at a summit in Algiers has agreed to hold an economic and social development summit every four years in conjunction with the regular Arab Summit, reported Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
An extraordinary session, attended by leaders and heads of state, may be held “when necessary or if there are developments that require it,” read an Arab League statement after the Algiers-hosted Arab Summit.
Dubbed the ‘Arab Development Summit’, it may be hosted by the Cairo-based Arab League or by the nation host of the Arab Summit of leaders.
Lebanon seeks joint Arab efforts
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has called on Arab countries to “join together to save Lebanon,” which is going through an “exceptionally difficult situation”.
“Lebanon is still counting on the help of all Arab brothers. Therefore, let the Arab hands join together to save my country, Lebanon,” Mikati said on Wednesday during the Arab League Summit in Algiers, according to a statement by Lebanon’s Council of Ministers.
Lebanon suffers economically, socially, and environmentally and fights epidemics with the least resources, he warned as quoted by Xinhua news agency reported.
“Our infrastructure has become weak, our resources are scarce, and we suffer from unprecedented inflation. Yet, despite all of this, we received this big Arab population, but we have turned into a weak body that needs strengthening instead of being ignored,” the Lebanese Prime Minister said, referring to the growing population of foreign Arabs, including refugees in the country.
Mikati also affirmed “Lebanon’s commitment to all the decisions of the Arab League and its support for this institution to play its role in these historical circumstances”.
‘Peace, recovery and prosperity’ motto of UAE
UAE plays a prominent role in addressing critical challenges at the regional and international levels, according to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
In his speech at the 31st Arab League Summit in Algeria, Sheikh Mohammed mentioned the motto of UAE and said, “The choice of the UAE is to propagate the slogan ‘peace, recovery and prosperity’ based on the rules of international law and cooperation in the fields of economy, sustainable development, advanced technology and scientific research, and to overcome challenges and confront existing threats.”
Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE is giving priority to peaceful resolution of conflicts, humanitarian relief, maintaining peace and addressing global health crises in a spirit of solidarity, supporting women’s empowerment, emphasising the role of youth in nation-building, harnessing the potential of innovation and advanced technology, and developing the international system to combat extremism and terrorism.
“In light of the unprecedented challenges facing Arab countries, we are in urgent need to intensify work, increase the pace of Arab coordination and cooperation, and resolve crises in the region to spread hope, optimism, unity, peace and tolerance. These values are the basis of the UAE’s approach since the era of the father of nation, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his founding brothers,” Khaleej Times quoted Sheikh Mohammed as saying.
