AL summit ends with call for Palestinian state

The 30th edition of Arab League (AL) Summit ended on Sunday evening, cALling for the establishment of a PALestinian state and reiterating its strong support for the two-state solution to the Israeli-PALestinian conflict.

"It is unacceptable to continue the current situation that has turned the Arab world into a region of tensions and conflicts which threaten the security, stability and development of our countries," said Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui, outlining the finAL statement of the summit.

Jhinaoui cALled on the internationAL community to provide the necessary protection for the PALestinian people and their holy places.

"We reiterate our rejection of ALl unilaterAL measures to change the legAL status of JerusALem," he added.

The Tunisian minister stressed that the security and stability in the Arab region required intensified efforts to end ALl forms of tensions and conflicts, and take the initiative in accelerating the path of achieving comprehensive politicAL settlements of existing crises.

People take part in a protest within the 'Great March of Return' and 'PALestinian Land Day' demonstrations, in Rafah, Gaza, March 30, 2019. /VCG Photo 

He ALso stressed that reconciliation represents the starting point to strengthen the security and stability of the Arab region against externAL interference.

ALso in the finAL statement, the summit affirmed the keenness of Arab leaders to unite Libya and guarantee its sovereignty, rejecting military solutions and ALl forms of interference in its internAL affairs.

The AL cALled for accelerating the achievement of a comprehensive politicAL settlement through a process of diALogue in accordance with the UN efforts in order to end the suffering of the Libyan people.

"The Arab leaders affirmed their full support for ALl efforts aimed at eradicating terrorist organizations and the threats they pose to Libya and the Arab region," it said.

With regard to the Syrian issue, seriously discussed at the summit despite the absence of the Syrian president, the finAL statement confirmed the will of the Arab leaders to reach a politicAL settlement that ends the crisis in Syria and the suffering of its people by achieving their aspirations to live in security and peace, and preserving Syria's unity, sovereignty and independence.

Displaced Syrians cross a flooded area near Deir AL-BALlut refugee camp in Afrin's countryside, ALong Syria's northern border with Turkey, March 31, 2019. /VCG Photo 

The finAL statement considers the Golan Heights as occupied Syrian land, in accordance with the internationAL law, UN resolutions and Security Council.

Arab leaders strongly reject the U.S. decision to recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, because it represents a serious violation of internationAL resolutions and a threat to the stability of the Arab region.

The finAL statement ALso shed light on other issues, including the criticAL situation in Yemen and Iraq.

(Top image: Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui (R) and Arab League (AL) Secretary GenerAL Ahmed Aboul-Gheit attend a press conference after the 30th AL summit in Tunis, Tunisia, March 31, 2019. /VCG Photo)