NNA – Al-Sharq wrote: While stagnation is characteristic of internal files, most notably the presidency of the republic, attention turned yesterday to Jeddah, where the 32nd Arab Summit was held in the presence of President Bashar al-Assad and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as guest of honour, while the Emir of Qatar left before President al-Assad delivered his speech. During his assumption of the presidency of the summit, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said, “We assure friendly countries in the East and West that we are moving forward in peace,” adding, “We will not allow our region to turn into a conflict zone.” He said that the Palestinian issue was and still is the central issue of the Arabs. “We hope that Syria’s return to the Arab League will be an end to its crisis,” he added. He also expressed his hope that the language of dialogue would be the basis in Sudan.
Before the start of the summit, the Saudi Crown Prince received the leaders of the participating countries and delegations, and the group photo of the leaders was taken at the 32nd Arab Summit.
The word timekeeper
President Najib Mikati delivered Lebanon’s speech and focused on the file of the displaced, as well as the economic conditions that Lebanon is suffering from, and the importance of the Arab countries’ support for it to restore its health.
Lebanon in the statement
As for the draft statement that will be issued by the summit, it also deals with the Lebanon file. The draft urged “the Lebanese authorities to continue their efforts to elect a president and form a government, in order to ensure the orderliness of the work of the constitutional institutions and to carry out structural economic reforms to get out of the suffocating economic and financial crisis.” And she stressed “the necessity of preserving the Lebanese pluralistic formula.” The statement also welcomed “the steps taken by Lebanon to expedite the start of oil exploration and Lebanon’s right to invest its resources.” She affirmed the Lebanese army’s support for extending the state’s sovereignty to the internationally recognized borders, as well as support for the conclusions issued by the meetings of the International Support Group for Lebanon and the efforts of the international community through the holding of “Cedre” and “Rome” meetings and conferences to support the Lebanese economy and army. It also affirmed support for the efforts of the Lebanese state to rebuild the port of Beirut and support for ongoing investigations to uncover the circumstances of the explosion and hold those responsible for it accountable. She stressed the need to preserve the pluralistic Lebanese formula based on equality between Muslims and Christians and coexistence.
Receive the note
At home, the memorandum issued by France against the Governor of the Banque du Liban, Riad Salameh, remained interacting. Yesterday, the caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Bassam Mawlawi, told Reuters that “Lebanon has received an arrest warrant from the International Police Organization (Interpol) against the governor of the Banque du Liban.” He added: Interpol’s request to arrest Riad Salameh is the subject of “serious discussion” by the authorities. Through “Al-Hadath”, Mawlawi demanded Salama’s resignation. In addition, the Public Prosecution Office at the Court of Cassation received a copy of the arrest warrant issued by French Judge Aud Bourizi against Salameh, which was circulated through Interpol. The Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Judge Ghassan Oweidat, began his studies, to set a date to hear Salama next week, and to take the legal requirements regarding her.
The governor replied
The Governor of the Banque du Liban, Riad Salameh, responded to the Public Prosecution’s receipt of the arrest warrant issued against him and circulated through Interpol, that this reference came at the request of the French judge, which was based on his absence from the interrogation session that she set on May 16.
Salama added, in exclusive statements to CNBC Arabia, that he did not attend the interrogation session because he was not notified in accordance with the rules and laws in force, and that he will file an appeal to cancel this reference.
consultative meeting
This issue will be discussed in a consultative meeting that Mikati called the ministers for, to be held at the fourth of next Monday in the Grand Serail, to discuss current affairs. It was reported that the talk about calling the Council of Ministers to convene on the twenty-sixth of this month is inaccurate, because the issue is still under discussion in light of the regular and emergency files, and the prior engagements of the prime minister and ministers.
no session
Presidentially, and while there is no call for an election session, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called the committees to a joint session before noon on Tuesday, and highlighted the items on the agenda: “Proposing a law aimed at amending the provisions of Articles 3 and 8 of the Monetary and Credit Law and the establishment of the Central Bank (the law subject to implementation under Decree 13513 of August 1, 1963 submitted by Representative Ziyad Hawat.
challenges
Amidst this atmosphere, Lisa Johnson, a candidate for the position of US ambassador to Beirut, announced that “the challenges Lebanon faces” include “widespread corruption, mismanagement, and Hezbollah’s threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty and security.” “Unfortunately, Lebanon today stands on the brink of collapse, battling what the World Bank has described as one of the three worst economic crises in the world over the past 150 years,” she added. In a statement she read before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 16, she said: “The Lebanese people are bearing the costs of their leaders’ inaction. Lebanon’s leaders have failed to implement the critical economic reforms required for the International Monetary Fund’s program, the country’s only realistic path to recovery. They have not yet elected a president and have not formed a government, which deprives the Lebanese people of leadership when they need it most. She continued, “The way forward is clear. Lebanon must elect a president and form a government empowered to implement long overdue reforms. If confirmed, I look forward to continuing the United States’ efforts to support the Lebanese government and people every step of the way. I am deeply grateful for Congress’s bipartisan support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces as trusted partners in maintaining Lebanon’s stability and security.
Jeddah Summit Statement.. A historic Arab consensus on the need to unite to solve the nation’s issues
Steps to solve the Syrian crisis, solidarity with Sudan and Lebanon, and support for the Saudi initiative for peace in Yemen
Arab leaders agreed in the closing statement of the 32nd regular Arab summit, which kicked off yesterday in Jeddah, amid an optimistic and consensual atmosphere, on the need to unite to solve the nation’s issues, foremost of which is the issue of the Palestinian people and the emerging crises in Sudan and Libya, as well as the issues of Yemen, Syria and Lebanon. The statement stressed the complete rejection of militias and armed entities outside the scope of the state and the unification of positions in the relations of Arab countries with their regional and international surroundings.
The closing statement of the summit included more than 32 items on various pressing issues in the Arab world, starting with the Palestinian cause, the Syrian crisis, and the Lebanese situation, passing through the Iranian file, and ending with issues of the environment, cybersecurity, and economic and social files.
In its statement, the Arab League affirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause to the entire Arab nation, the Arab identity of occupied East Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Palestine, the right of the State of Palestine to absolute sovereignty over all of its land occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem, and the importance of activating the “Arab Peace Initiative.”
Regarding the Lebanese file, the statement urged the Lebanese authorities to continue efforts to elect a president for the country, form a government as soon as possible, and carry out economic reforms to get out of the suffocating crisis.
As for the Syrian issue, the draft statement stressed the renewal of commitment to preserving Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability, intensifying efforts to help it get out of its crisis, and end the suffering of the Syrian people.
With regard to Sudan, full solidarity was affirmed in preserving the country’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, refusing to interfere in its internal affairs, considering the crisis an internal matter, and preserving institutions.
Within the developments of the situation in Libya, the statement affirmed commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya, the rejection of all kinds of external interference, and the refrain from escalation.
On Yemen, the statement spoke of commitment to the country’s unity and sovereignty, affirming the continued support of the legitimate Yemeni government led by the Presidential Leadership Council headed by Rashad Muhammad al-Alimi, and strengthening its role and support.
In support of Somalia, the statement called for supporting the efforts of the Somali government in its comprehensive war against terrorism, especially the Al-Shabaab movement. with the aim of eliminating it.
--The statement also stressed the absolute affirmation of the UAE’s sovereignty over its three islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa).
With regard to the Iranian file, the statement welcomed the agreement reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran in Beijing, which includes the resumption of diplomatic relations, the reopening of their missions, and the activation of the security and economic cooperation agreement between the two countries.
As for Turkey, the statement condemned the Turkish forces’ incursion into Iraqi territory, calling on the Turkish government to withdraw its forces without conditions.
With regard to combating terrorism, the statement condemned all forms of criminal operations launched by terrorist organizations in Arab countries and the world, and called on Arab countries that have not ratified the Arab Convention on Combating Terrorism to ratify it.
Chinese message to the summit
In a congratulatory message to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Arab League has long been committed to promoting unity and self-improvement of the Arab world and promoting peace, stability and development in the Middle East.
In his message, the Chinese president added that China is ready to work with Arab countries to advance the spirit of Sino-Arab friendship and implement the results of the Chinese summit.
The Emir of Qatar left before Assad’s speech began
An Arab official revealed, “The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, did not hold any bilateral meetings or deliver a speech at the Arab League summit hosted by the Saudi city of Jeddah,” noting that “his presence was a visit of affection.”
“The prince left the summit before the start of the speech of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad,” the official added.
Bin Salman and Assad view bilateral relations
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, during a meeting between them, the bilateral relations between the two countries and developments in the Arab arena, in light of the positive atmosphere in Arab-Arab relations, which reflects a collective trend towards common visions that culminated in the Jeddah Summit, according to what was reported. Syrian Presidency.
The Syrian president appreciated the efforts “made by Saudi Arabia at the level of achieving Arab rapprochement and building a political atmosphere that helps joint action among Arab countries to achieve the benefit of their peoples,” congratulating bin Salman on the success of the Jeddah summit, considering that it “will contribute to more Arab cohesion.”
Al-Assad and bin Salman praised the return of the usual relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia in a way that supports the stability of the region and serves joint Arab action.
Zelensky appreciated Saudi Arabia’s role towards his country
Putin in a telegram to the Arab Summit: We are ready
To participate in resolving the region’s crises
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed, in a telegram to the 32nd Arab Summit held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, his readiness to participate in resolving the region’s crises.
“We will continue to provide all possible assistance to settle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” Putin said.
In the opening speech, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed the importance of resolving the crisis in Ukraine peacefully.
He added, “We reaffirm the Kingdom’s position in support of everything that contributes to reducing the severity of the crisis in Ukraine, the non-deterioration of the humanitarian situation, and the Kingdom’s readiness to continue mediating efforts between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.”
This comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during his speech as guest of honor at the Arab summit meeting, valued the Saudi mediation for the release of prisoners.
Zelinsky said that what is happening in his country is a war, not just a conflict, and that his country did not choose war and did not engage in any hostilities in the lands of other countries.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received President Vladimir Zelensky, President of Ukraine, in Jeddah.
During the reception – according to what was reported by the Saudi Press Agency “SPA” – the bilateral relations between the two countries and issues of common concern were reviewed.
During the reception, the Crown Prince affirmed the Kingdom’s keenness and support for all international efforts aimed at resolving the (Ukrainian-Russian) crisis politically, and its continuation of its efforts to contribute to mitigating the resulting humanitarian effects.
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