Arab leaders start third session in Sharm el-Sheikh

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi inaugurated the third session of the 26th Arab Summit on Saturday in Sharm el Sheikh.
The session started with a speech given by Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour.
Earlier, the Arab leaders, under president Sisi, started a session behind closed doors in Sharm el Sheikh resort city.
During the session, the leaders tackled issues on the agenda of the 26th Arab Summit including draft resolutions concerning Arab national security.
Arab leaders are gathered in Sharm el Sheikh to discuss a number of pressing issues, particularly terrorism and the situation in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Somalia and Libya.
Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour asserted the importance of boosting Arab cooperation and coordination to face terrorism and sectarian and political violence threats endangering the region.
The prime minister said: "Our war against terrorism is a war in which Muslims protect their religion as well as human values against terrorist groups targeting Arab nation’s security and future."
He also called for adopting inclusive methods that cover military, security, social, educational and cultural aspects to confront such terrorist groups.
Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour stressed his country's support for the legitimate government in Yemen represented by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.
"We will continue providing all forms of support to Yemen in a way that protects its stability and political independence, establishes security and preserves the integrity of its land," Ensour told the Arab summit in Sharm el Sheikh.
He also asserted that Jordan backs the military operation in Yemen in response to an official request of the constitutional legitimate government in the country.
"We are looking forward that Yemen will overcome the current crisis it is going through, and we reiterate our full support for the Gulf initiative and the national dialogue under President Hadi," he said.
Ensour added that the Palestinian cause is the "core of conflict" in the Middle East and is an access to solving all issues of the region.
"The Palestinian cause represents the right of the Palestinians to life and establish an independent state on border of June 4, 1967 with Al Quds as its capital," he added.
He called on the international community and the influential powers to intensify efforts to resume peace talks to reach a fair and permanent solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
He reiterated Jordan's commitment to protect Islamic and Christian sacred places against any violations.
"We will continue urging the international community to shoulder its responsibility to stop all Israeli measures and violations in Al Quds, including attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque and the Noble Sanctuary which undermine the peace efforts," he added.
Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said that the Syrian crisis threatens the region’s stability, adding that the only solution is the inclusive political solution that achieves Syrians’ aspirations and guarantees that all Syrian fractions will contribute in drafting the country’s future.
He also thanked Arab donors that provided support to countries hosting Syrian refugees including Jordan and Lebanon.
Turning to the situation in Iraq, he said: “we have to support Iraqi government and people’s efforts to combat terrorism,” adding that all Iraqi fractions have to be engaged in the process in order to achieve its goals.
Meanwhile, he called for encouraging Libyan national parties, including those who renounce violence, terrorism and extremism, to hold dialogue to resolve the current crisis in the country.
Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said: “While Jordan is presiding over Arab League council at the ministerial level, we are committed to work and coordinate with Egypt, which is currently presiding the Arab Summit, in order to serve Arab nation's interests.”
Ensour also pointed out that Jordan is expected to preside over the United Nations Security Council next month in which Amman is committed to serve Arab interests at the UNSC.”
Speaker of the Algerian Upper House of Parliament Abdul Qader bin Saleh delivered Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s greeting to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and other Arab leaders participating in the Arab Summit.
He also delivered the Algerian president’s wish success for the summit.
He said: “Despite the current difficult situation facing Arab countries, the Arab region managed to adopt a number of inclusive development projects and plans in political, economic and social fields.”
He added that his country sees that the Arab national security is considered one of the main challenges which require the Arab countries to unite efforts to find a mechanism to face such threats.
He added that Algeria has wanted in principle to form an Arab joint force.
Speaker of the Algerian Upper House of Parliament Abdul Qader bin Saleh said that the Palestinian cause topped the priorities of Algeria as a "central issue".
He expressed regret over the failure of the UN Security Council to pass a Palestinian resolution to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and establish an independent Palestinian state.
He voiced his support for the Palestinian move to join international treaties and organizations including the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He stressed that his country sees that the only solution to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is "fair and comprehensive peace".
Saleh asserted that his country supports the Libyan people and all forms of ongoing dialogue.
As for the Syrian crisis, he expressed regret over the lack of a glimmer of hope to end the current turmoil.
He reaffirmed his country's support for the efforts of the UN envoy to Syria, praising the role of Kuwait and its call to host the third conference of donors for Syria.
He also hailed the democratic steps Egypt has made and the Egyptian government's efforts to achieve development.
Libyan Parliament speaker Akila Saleh asserted the importance of Arab coordination to face terrorism.
He warned that arms ban to the Libyan military will strengthen Daesh's spread in Libya.
He pointed out that terrorism has used the popular revolutions to spread and control swaths of Arab countries.
Saleh also called on the Arab states to support Libya and its army in its war on terror.
He hailed Arab foreign ministers’ decision to form an Arab joint force to face terrorist groups and security threats.
Saleh thanked Jordan and Egypt for their support in the UNSC, saying the Libyan parliament is keen on resuming dialogue.
Envoy of Sultan Qaboos of Oman Sayyid Asaad bin Tareq al Said underlined the importance of holding dialogue among Arab countries to reach a joint vision and solutions to the problems currently facing the region.
He also pointed out at the necessity of combating terrorism, a phenomenon that prevailed in the last period and threatened Arab national security.
Turning to the Palestinian cause, the envoy called for reaching an overall solution to the issue as soon as possible.