HM King addresses Arab summit in Makkah

Makkah, May 31 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa delivered a speech at the extraordinary Arab summit held at Al Safa Palace in Makkah. “In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Your Majesties, Excellencies, Highnesses Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to our brother the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his kind invitation and for hosting this emergency Arab summit to discuss the current situation in the region. The summit is being held within the context of the wise policy pursued by Saudi Arabia led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and aimed at preserving and strengthening the Arab national security, based on consultations and coordination among our Arab countries and keen on protecting our interests, unifying our positions and reinforcing our joint action. We stress that this initiative is within the character of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques who invariably seeks the best for the Arab countries and peoples and who is known for his wisdom, broad and tolerant vision and his accurate understanding of events, which makes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the ideal place to resolve our Arab issues with its constant support to their brothers throughout history and in all circumstances. Your Majesties, Excellencies, Highnesses The recent successive developments and which have called for our meeting today have shown that the state sponsors of terrorism have become a major threat not only to security and stability in the region, but also to global security as a whole, in view of their persistence and violation of international treaties, laws and covenants. This represents a challenge that is rejected by the international community. The entire world has followed the crimes and grave violations committed by terrorist groups supported by Iran against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, resulting in a serious threat to the security of the region, and intended to endanger the safety of navigation and international energy corridors crossing the Arabian Gulf. This has placed the region on the verge of dangerous tension and instability. Such irresponsible actions require a firm stance to put an end to these persistent violations of our regional security and their repeated threats to neighborly relations. In this regard and in light of our longstanding brotherly ties based on unity of purpose and common destiny, we affirm our unwavering support to, and solidarity with, our brothers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in all measures that protect their security and stability. We also reaffirm that we stand with them against all desperate attempts targeting their interests and seeking to disrupt the process of development and prosperity in the two countries. Your Majesties, Excellencies, Highnesses Should there be a way to deal with such threats, we believe that the most appropriate and successful means are the strengthening of cooperation and solidarity between our countries in a way that strengthens our fraternal relations based on solid foundations of trust and mutual respect as well as achieving an integrated vision and comprehensive strategy that sustains Arab national security and strengthens its pillars in the face of the dangers and challenges surrounding our countries. We must continue our efforts in this regard to strengthen regional and international security in cooperation, coordination and joint action with our allies and friends who share our lofty goals in order to maintain global security and stability so that we continue our common progress towards development and prosperity for the sake of a bright future for all the peoples of the world. We also look forward to intensifying the efforts to activate the Arab role in order to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause and the legitimate right of the Palestinians to establish their independent and sovereign state on the borders of June 4, 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, the two-state solution and the relevant international references. Your Majesties, Excellencies, Highnesses We affirm that we, as Arab countries, have been and will remain leaders and makers of peace, premised on our responsibility and duty that make it imperative that we spare no effort to protect our countries, ensure the stability of our societies and safeguard and preserve our national security with all strength. We conclude by expressing our steadfast confidence in the wisdom of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, which today leads this Arab and Islamic orientation that is clear in its messages and decisive in its position and aspirations. In his patronage of this meeting and his sincere dedication to strengthening the pillars of Arab collective action in all its aspects, we find they are the best way to overcome these difficult situations and to be advocates of peace in light of our humanitarian and legitimate duty to promote progress and protect humanity. May God bless such good efforts, and may He protect our nations and peoples from all evil. May He guide us towards all that is good and beneficial. Peace and God's mercy and blessings be upon you.