Baghdad, SANA- The 34th regular Arab Summit started on Saturday, in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, with the participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad al-Shaibani.
In a speech during the opening of the Arab Summit in Baghdad, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani said: “Bahrain congratulates the Syrian Arab Republic on the decision of the United States of America to lift sanctions on it, and we appreciate the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this regard.”
“We reiterate our firm and supportive stance for Syria’s unity and our rejection of any aggression against its territory, and we will spare no effort to support our brothers there, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said, adding “We appreciate the decision of the United States of America to lift sanctions on Syria and we hope that this step will contribute to alleviating the suffering of the brotherly Syrian people.”
For his part, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit stressed that Syria is going through a difficult phase and a major challenge in building a new Syria, and we will all stand with the Syrian people and their government to overcome this difficult situation.
Aboul Gheit affirmed that lifting sanctions on Syria will help alleviate the suffering of its people and create a new economic reality that will enhance its ability to confront challenges.
In this context, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a speech during his attendance of the Arab Summit,the sovereignty and independence of Syrian territory is essential and very important, and we welcomed the announcement of the lifting of sanctions on it.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in his speech during the Arab Summit: We stress the necessity of preserving Syria’s unity and independence and Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan, and the lifting of sanctions on Syria must be invested in the interest of its people.
Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, in his speech said: We congratulate Syria—its leadership, government, and people—on lifting of US sanctions, and we commend the efforts of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in this regard.
In addition, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said: We congratulate Syria on the decision to lift sanctions and hope that this will contribute to strengthening its stability.
Jordanian Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan, in his speech said: We support Syria and its security, stability, unity, sovereignty, prosperity, the return of its displaced people, and its reconstruction.
For his part,Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, in his speech at the Arab Summit: We affirm Lebanon’s readiness to cooperate with Syria to return displaced people to their villages, and we call on brotherly and friendly countries to provide the necessary conditions for their return.
Sudanese Sovereignty Council member Ibrahim Jaber, in his speech said: We congratulate the Syrian Arab Republic on the lifting of US sanctions and appreciate the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this regard.
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, said: Morocco reiterates its Firm stance to support and assist the Syrian people to achieve their aspirations for security and stability and preserve the unity of their country.
“Morocco has decided to reopen its embassy in Syria, which closed in 2012,”Bourita added, hoping this will contribute to strengthening fraternal relations between the two countries.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf said: We must stand in solidarity with Syria because its unity and sovereignty are an integral part of the security and stability of the region.
We support Syria in confronting the attacks of the usurping Zionist entity, Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Al-Nafti said.
Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Salem Ould Marzouk: We highly appreciate the decision of the United States of America to lift sanctions on Syria.
Comoros Foreign Minister Mbaye Mohamed Mbaye: We renew our call for the necessity of stopping the Israeli attacks on Syria.
In turn, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir in his speech during the Arab Summit: The Kingdom affirms its rejection of Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, and we stress the importance of supporting Syria in facing the challenges it faces.
He added: We commend US President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria.
Nawal / Reem Safi/ Fedaa
