Arab Parliament Speaker urges unity to counter region perils

The Arab Parliament (AP) Speaker Ahmed Al-Jarwan yesterday called for a reassessment of the dangers threatening the peace and security of the Arab world. Al-Jarwan made the call at the opening meeting of the first session of the AP’s second legislative term held in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm ElSheikh. Al-Jarwan noted that the Palestinian issue would remain the Arabs’ “pivotal cause,” and stressed the necessity that the Palestinian people must restore their internationallyacknowledged rights, and establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. He reiterated the AP’s support to the Saudi-led coalition and the Operation Restoring Hope seeking to achieve security, stability and reconstruction in Yemen.

Support for Iraq

In the meantime, the AP Speaker renewed support for the Iraqi people in the war against terror, and stressed the importance of Iraq’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as unity among all components of the Iraqi people. He called for resolving the crisis of displaced Iraqis, estimated at 3 million people. Freezing winter is approaching while millions of Arabs, displaced and refugees, live in tents that protect them from neither severe cold nor rain, especially Syrians, he told the session. AlJarwan emphasized the fact that the legal and humanitarian responsibility makes it inevitable for the international community to urgently and immediately intervene to rescue besieged Syrians, who are starving and exposed to death or forced migration. The massacres on a daily basis in Syria’s Aleppo raise questions about the “world’s conscience,” he said, urging the international community to assume their ethical and humanitarian responsibility toward Syrians. On Libya, the AP speaker reiterated support to the Libyan people in their efforts for dialogue, reconciliation and dissolution of the crisis to restore security and stability.

Meanwhile, Al-Jarwan urged Iran to end its occupation of the UAE’s three islands, Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs. He called upon Tehran to respond to the UAE’s call to settle the issue thorough negotiations or to refer it to the International Court of Justice. In addition, the Speaker called for stronger ties with Africa referring to the joint session held in Sharm El-Sheikh Monday between the AP and the Pan African Parliament. — KUNA