Khalifa for joint Arab strategy

RIYADH—The challenges and tensions facing the Arab Summit should not overshadow the promising potential of our Arab Nation, the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said yesterday on his arrival to attend the 19th Arab Summit which opens in the Saudi capital today.

By (Wam)

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Published: Wed 28 Mar 2007, 9:38 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 4:11 AM

“We are confident that Arab leders share with us the keen interest in making this summit a new standpoint and a new turning point in joint Arab action”, he observed.

In a statement to the Press, Shaikh Khalifa said, “The experiences which we have gone through prove that our strength lies in our solidarity and facing the dangers threatening our nation with a common Arab stand.”

The President further said, “We are in dire need of taking action with sincere intentions so that we can achieve a unified, proactive and consistent stand to overcome barriers that block the joint Arab action and come up with decisions that live up to the challenges we are facing.

Following is the text of Shaikh Khalifa’s statement: “I would like to express extreme happiness over meeting with my brother the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and participating in the Arab Summit which will be held here.

“I have the confidence that King Abdullah’s wisdom and capabilities will provide a suitable environment that would hopefully contribute to the success of the summit.

“King Abdullah’s patronage of the recent Makkah Agreement between the two Palestinian factions is one example of potential success of preparations for the upcoming summit. He gave momentum to the Arab Peace Initiative which is a reflection of Arab desire for a permanent and just peace based on UN resolutions and agreements singed within the framework of those principles and resolutions.

“The experiences which we have gone through prove that our strength lies in our solidarity and facing the dangers threatening our nation with one Arab stand.

“We are aware of the dangers at the present juncture when the Arab Summit will be held as well as the magnitude of the challenges facing it. Therefore, we are facing demands that we must meet these challenges without delay.

“The current situation in Iraq demands a serious Arab stand to help that sisterly Arab country restore its security, stability and protect its unity and sovereignty. What applies to Lebanon and Iraq also applies to other tension-ridden areas in the Arab World.

“Looking at the agenda of the Arab Summit through the challenges and tensions facing it should not overshadow the promising potential of our Arab Nation. We are confident that Arab leaders share with us the keen interest in making this summit a new standpoint and a new turning point in joint Arab action.

“We are in dire need of taking action with sincere intentions so that we can achieve a unified, proactive and consistent stand to overcome barriers that block the joint Arab action and come up with decisions that live up to the challenges we are facing.”

“We do pray to Allah to grant success to this Summit and to our actions in the best interest of our countries and peoples.”

Earlier, Shaikh Khalifa and his delegation was received at the Riyadh Airbase Airport by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. The delegation headed by Shaikh Khalifa comprises Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, Lt. General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior, Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Ahmed Juma Al Zaabi, Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs, and the UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Al Asri Al Dhaheri.


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