King Hamad addresses the Arab Summit

Addressing the 24th Arab Summit, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa took pride in Qatar's hosting of the summit, expressing thanks and gratitude to the Amir of Qatar Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the summit's Chairman, as well as the Qatari government and people for the warm welcome and hospitality. HM the King expressed Bahrain's thanks and appreciation to Iraq for presiding over the last summit and for its achievements in fostering pan-Arab work. He also thanked Arab League Secretary General Dr. Nabeel Al Arabi for his tremendous efforts and contributions to reinforcing the role of the Arab League in achieving its goals despite all challenges. HM said that joint Arab action meets the aspirations of Arab people towards further reform, modernization and progress as well as achieving sustainable development, equality of opportunities, respect for human rights and dignity and consolidating the role of women and youths in line with Arab values and traditions. He also said that joint Arab action reinforces the pillars of the state of law, justice, solidarity and equality to establish economic integration in order for Arabs to effectively take part in building the global economy and developing a civilization based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue. HM the King said that this requires establishing the agreed mechanisms to develop joint Arab action and activate the Arab League Charter, its bodies and authorities to support consultations and cooperation in the political, economic and social fields. This, he added, would also result in completing The Greater Arab Free Trade Area and setting a comprehensive strategy that promotes Arab solidarity against challenges targeting Arab security. Referring to the Palestinian issue, HM the King said that the past period witnessed many changes and developments that created new circumstances for peace in the Middle East based on a two-state solution with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. He said "in order to achieve that, it is necessary to adopt a new approach towards the process of fair and comprehensive peace in the region which is halted due to Israel's intransigent stance and its rejection to relevant international decisions." He added that can be achieved through cooperation and coordination with the international community to enforce international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative approved at Beirut Summit 2002, as well as the principle of land for peace. He urged to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian lands that began in 1967 and halt settlements. HM the King added that Bahrain believes that the Arab League plays an essential role in solving Arab problems, stressing that its role in Syria should be supported due to the disastrous and fast developments witnessed by Syrian people there. HM urged to reach a solution for the crisis and put an end to violence and bloodshed, preserve the unity of Syria and its people and protect the Arab region from the dangerous fallout of the Syrian crisis. He also said that the GCC countries are exerting efforts to develop relations with Iran, in line with the principles of good neighborliness and respect of other countries' sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in their internal affairs. However, HM added, Iran is repeatedly threatening the International navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, continues to occupy the UAE's three islands, interfere in the internal affairs of GCC member states and support terror cells. "This is considered an unacceptable violation of such principles that creates tension and instability in the region." HM the King praised the Gulf initiative's success in rescuing Yemen from a civil war and supporting a comprehensive national dialogue conference. HM praised the Yemeni President Abd Rabu Mansoor Hadi's efforts in maintaining national unity and preserving Yemen's security and stability. He added that Manama's conference on establishing an Arab Human Rights Court, recently held in Bahrain, is an important step and a futuristic vision that will achieve the Arab people's aspirations for preserving and promoting human rights. HM the King voiced Bahrain's desire to host the permanent headquarters of the Arab Human Rights Court, wishing every success, progress and stability for all people in the Arab countries.