Opening Session of Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Concludes in Preparation for the 34th Arab Summit in Baghdad
The opening session of the Arab Foreign Ministers’ meeting concluded in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, as part of the preparatory meetings of the Council of the League of Arab States at the summit level in its 34th session, hosted by the Republic of Iraq. The session was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein.
During the session, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Chair of the previous session, delivered a speech affirming that the Bahrain Summit had conveyed a message of peace and Arab solidarity. He reiterated its call for an end to the war on Gaza and for alleviating the humanitarian suffering there.
Minister Al Zayani indicated that the Summit emphasized the centrality of the Palestinian cause, the rejection of forced displacement of the Palestinian people, and the necessity of protecting their legitimate rights in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions. He also highlighted key decisions adopted by the summit aimed at strengthening Arab cooperation and integration, including initiatives to convene an international conference to resolve the Palestinian issue, support for recognizing an independent Palestinian state, and efforts toward its UN membership, as well as safeguarding the human rights of those affected by conflicts — particularly their rights to life, health, education, and access to knowledge.
On his part, the Secretary-General of the Arab League Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, addressed the session by noting that the meeting comes amid serious regional and global developments with significant implications for the Arab world. He stated, “I do not exaggerate when I say that the upcoming summit, scheduled to take place the day after tomorrow, marks a pivotal moment in modern Arab history and carries great hopes.”
Mr. Aboul Gheit stressed that the Palestinian people are enduring one of the most horrific genocidal wars in history, adding, “Their victims are our victims; their pain is our pain; and their cause is the cause of this League and of the entire Arab nation.” He expressed hope that the summit will issue a unified Arab message calling for an immediate halt to the war and a strong stand against the extremist agendas of the occupying forces, whose only aim is the continuation of violence and instability in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon. He further noted that the meeting’s agenda includes a range of resolutions addressing various Arab issues, underlining that the ongoing and escalating crises are imposing a heavy toll on the Arab peoples’ present and future. He explained that the conflicts in Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, and Libya threaten collective Arab security and regional stability, urging that they be addressed on this bases.
At the conclusion of the session, the Kingdom of Bahrain formally handed over the presidency of the Council to the Republic of Iraq. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein assumed the chairmanship of the current session, expressing hope that the forthcoming summit will come out with decisions that advance the path of joint Arab action and reinforce Arab solidarity.
