The 34th Arab Summit kicks off in Baghdad 

BAGHDAD, MAY.17, (ST)-The 34th regular Arab Summit kicked off in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, with the participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates As’ad al-Shibani.

Al-Shibani was received by the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammad Al-Sudani, and Iraq’s President, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, before the start of the summit.

Baharain

In his speech at the opening of the Arab Summit, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, said: “Bahrain congratulates the Syrian Arab Republic on the United States’ decision to lift sanctions, appreciating the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this regard.”

Iraq

For his part, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Al-Sudani, said in his speech at the Arab Summit: “We reiterate our firm and supportive stance for Syria’s unity and our rejection of any aggression against its territory. We will spare no effort to support our brothers there.

He added: “We appreciate the United States’ decision to lift sanctions on Syria and hope this step will contribute to alleviating the suffering of the brotherly Syrian people.”.

Arab League

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said in his speech: “Syria is going through a difficult phase and a major challenge in building a new Syria, and we will all stand with the Syrian people and their government to overcome this difficult situation.

“Lifting sanctions on Syria will contribute to alleviating the suffering of its people and creating a new economic situation that strengthens its ability to confront challenges,” he added.

UN Secretary-General

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said in his speech at the Arab Summit: “The sovereignty and independence of Syrian territory are essential and very important, and we welcome the announcement of the lifting of sanctions.”

Egypt

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, said in his speech at the Arab Summit: “We stress the necessity of preserving Syria’s unity and independence, and Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

He added that the lifting of sanctions on Syria must be used for the benefit of its people.”

Yemen

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Mohammad Al-Alimi, said in his speech at the Arab Summit: “We congratulate Syria’s leadership, government, and people on the lifting of US sanctions, and we commend the efforts of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in this regard.’

Somalia

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in his speech at the Arab Summit: “We congratulate Syria on lifting the sanctions and hope this will contribute to strengthening its stability.

Jordan

Jordanian Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan, said in his speech at the Arab Summit: “We support Syria and its security, stability, unity, sovereignty, prosperity, the return of its displaced people, and its reconstruction.”

He added: “We hope to see a prosperous Syria, and we welcome the US decision to lift sanctions on it. Syria will remain a pillar of regional stability.

Morocco

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, said in his speech at the Arab Summit: “Morocco reiterates its firm position of supporting the Syrian people in achieving their aspirations for security and stability and preserving the unity of their country.”

He added that his country has decided to reopen its embassy in Syria, which was closed in 2012, and we hope this will contribute to strengthening fraternal relations between the two countries.

Algeria

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, in his speech at the Arab Summit: We must stand in solidarity with Syria because its unity and sovereignty are an integral part of the security and stability of the region.

Tunisia
Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti, said in his speech at the Arab Summit: “We support Syria in its confrontation with the aggression of the usurping Zionist entity.

Mauritania

Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Weld Marzouq, isaid n his speech :” We highly appreciate the United States’ decision to lift sanctions on Syria.”

Comoros

Comoros Foreign Minister Mbaye Mohamed Mbaye, said in his speech : “We reiterate our call for an end to Israeli attacks on Syria.”

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir, in his speech: “The Kingdom affirms its rejection of Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, and we stress the importance of supporting Syria in confronting the challenges it faces.

He added: “We commend US President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria.”

#syria_times

Basma Qaddour