Saudi Shura Council Speaker: Iran Seeks to Fuel Arab Disputes

Gulf

June 27th, 7:08am

Cairo - Asharq Al-Awsat

The opening ceremony of the Arab Parliament session (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Speaker of Saudi Shura Council Sheikh Abdullah Al Sheikh stressed that the current challenges and critical developments in the Arab world require a real will for an integrated Arab project, pointing out that Iran seeks to fuel Arab disputes through its terrorist arms. Speaking at the opening session of the Arab Parliament, Al Sheikh indicated that the Iranian regime is leading a proxy war in several Arab countries, noting that Tehran creates tensions through its support of strife and illegitimate armed militias in an effort to break up the Arab peoples. In his speech, Al Sheikh stressed that Saudi Arabia is playing a pivotal role in pioneering initiatives to safeguard Arab national security and counter blatant interference in the affairs of Arab countries The Speaker said that the positions of the Kingdom's leadership towards the Arab world have given a positive impetus to the joint Arab action, establishing a promising stage of solidarity and unity of positions, and confronting whatever threatens and targets the security and stability of Arab societies. The Arab world is going through many challenges and developments, which require a real will for an integrated Arab project that contains implementation mechanisms to mitigate negative impact, according to Al Sheikh. He added that one of the most prominent of these challenges is the Arab-Israeli conflict, noting that the Kingdom made great efforts to support the Palestinian cause and people, calling on the international community to carry out its responsibilities to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians. He reiterated the Kingdom’s support to all efforts aimed at ending the occupation and reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause, enabling Palestinians to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. Referring to the situation in Yemen, Al Sheikh explained that the humanitarian situation in the country demands a serious response from the international community to put an end to this tragedy. He stressed the Kingdom’s firm position to accept a political solution based on the three references, the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanisms, the outcomes of the Yemeni National Dialogue, Security Council Resolution No. (2216), along with the Saudi initiative to end the crisis in Yemen through a comprehensive ceasefire. The Speaker reiterated that the Kingdom has the right to defend its lands, citizens and residents from the Houthi systematic attacks, lauding the support of the Arab Parliament in its explicit condemnation of all attacks carried out by Iran-backed militias against the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia believes that it is important to intensify joint international efforts and action to confront the major challenges facing humanity in the field of epidemics, climate change, poverty and organized crime, stressed Al Sheikh. He also referred to the speech of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz at the virtual Climate Summit last April, during which he reiterated the importance of preserving the planet in light of the emissions resulting from economic growth. Sheikh further praised the role of the Arab Parliament Speaker, Adel al-Asoumi, in commending Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives, which have been adopted by the parliament. At the end of his speech, the Speaker extended his thanks and appreciation to Asoumi for granting him the Arab Excellence Medal. The Speaker of the Shura Council received the Arab Excellence Medal in a ceremony held during the session at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3049591/saudi-shura-council-speaker-iran-seeks-fuel-arab-disputes