World

King’s speech at Arab Summit: Concern over Golan, anger over Iran

New Zealand mosque attack proves terror has no religion, race or homeland’

March 31, 2019
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman chairs the opening session of the 30th Arab League summit in Tunis on Sunday with his Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf (R) and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit (L) seated next to him. — AFP
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman chairs the opening session of the 30th Arab League summit in Tunis on Sunday with his Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf (R) and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit (L) seated next to him. — AFP

Saudi Gazette report

TUNIS —
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Sunday rejected any measures that impact on Syrian sovereignty over the Golan Heights, reiterated the Kingdom’s steadfast stand in support of the Palestinian cause, denounced aggressive policies of the Iranian regime and called for a political solution in Yemen in accordance with three references.

Addressing the 30th Arab League summit in Tunis, the King said, “We reiterate our total rejection of any measures that would infringe on Syrian sovereignty over the Golan.”

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that ignoring United Nations Security Council resolutions on the Golan Heights was “not a solution”.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that any resolution to the Syrian conflict must guarantee the territorial integrity of Syria including the occupied Golan Heights.

In reference to the Mideast issue, King Salman in his speech said, “The Palestinian cause will remain at the top of the Kingdom's concerns until the Palestinian people have all their legitimate rights, foremost of which is the establishment of their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds) as its capital, based on the resolutions of the international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative.”

EU foreign policy chief Mogherini also said a two state solution for Israel and Palestine was the only viable and realistic solution ... “We have a responsibility to prevent the two state solution from being irreversibly dismantled,” she told the Arab League summit.

“Any future plan will have to recognize the internationally agreed parameters including on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, and the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of the two states.”

Addressing the summit, UN chief Guterres said two-state solution for Israel and Palestine was an “imperative”.

King Salman said the aggressive policies of the Iranian regime constitute a flagrant violation of all international charters and principles.

The King called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities to confront these policies and stop Iranian regime's support for terrorism.

“The Kingdom continues to support efforts to combat terrorism and extremism at all levels. The terrorist act that targeted two mosques in New Zealand confirms that terrorism is not linked to religion, race or homeland,” the King told the summit.

On the Yemeni affair, King Salman reiterates the Kingdom’s support for UN efforts to reach a political solution in accordance with three references.

“We call on the international community to compel Iran-backed Houthi militias to stop their aggressive practices that have caused the sufferings of the Yemeni people and threatened the security and stability of the region.

He said the Kingdom will continue to implement its humanitarian and development aid programs to alleviate the sufferings of the Yemeni people.

With regard to the Libyan crisis, the King emphasized the Kingdom’s keenness on the unity of Libya and its territorial integrity, and support the UN efforts to reach a political solution.


March 31, 2019
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