Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan emphasized the centrality of the Palestinian issue during the closing press conference of the 32nd Arab Summit held in Jeddah, expressing hopes for cooperation with the United States to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan. Bin Farhan called on the Sudanese parties to act responsibly, resort to dialogue, and cease fighting, noting that "the summit seeks to find solutions to food and water problems in the Arab region." He added, "We are all concerned about the return of Syrian refugees, and we will work with our Western partners and the United Nations to achieve that." Regarding the attendance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit, he stated, "We are keen on our relations with both Russia and Ukraine based on positive neutrality, and our invitation to him was for the purpose of listening to all parties." He highlighted the importance of an initiative to teach the Arabic language to non-native speakers, as it opens new horizons.
For his part, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit praised the significant decisions made at the summit and the symbolic return of Syria, characterized by consensus and the achievement of the desired goal, which is success. He added, "We look forward for the summit to mark the beginning of Arabs taking matters into their own hands and working collectively to resolve crises in the region," stating: "We are determined to solve our problems by our own hands." He continued, "Those who monitor the decisions made at the summit see that there is a call for de-escalation, and the summit and the Arab side propose de-escalation. Turkey and Iran should grasp this opportunity and allow neighboring countries to start a new page." He added: "We must work independently of the visions of external powers regarding Syria's return."
The "Jeddah Declaration" includes 11 points, affirming the commitment of the 22 Arab leaders to "the importance of enhancing joint Arab action based on common foundations, values, interests, and shared destiny, the necessity of unifying voices and cooperation in preserving security and stability, safeguarding state sovereignty and the cohesion of its institutions, maintaining its achievements, and achieving further elevation of Arab work, while benefiting from the human and natural resources our region possesses to address the challenges of the new era, serving the goals and aspirations for a promising future for our peoples and generations to come."
The text includes:
1. We reaffirm the centrality of the Palestinian issue to our countries as a key factor for stability in the region, strongly condemning the practices and violations targeting Palestinians in their lives, property, and existence. We stress the importance of intensifying efforts to reach a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue and creating a genuine horizon for achieving peace based on the two-state solution according to international references, primarily the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolutions, and the principles of international law ensuring the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, especially the right of return and self-determination and establishing an independent State of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
2. We are closely monitoring the developments in the brotherly Republic of Sudan and express our deep concern over the crisis's implications on the security, safety, and stability of our countries and peoples. We emphasize the need for a ceasefire, prioritizing dialogue and unity, alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people, maintaining national state institutions, preventing their collapse, and avoiding any foreign intervention that fuels the conflict and threatens regional peace and security. We consider the Jeddah meetings that began on May 6 between the Sudanese rivals a significant step that can build upon to end this crisis and restore security and stability to Sudan and protect its people’s resources.
3. We welcome the decision issued by the meeting of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level to resume the participation of Syrian government delegations in league meetings and its affiliated organizations and agencies, hoping this will contribute to supporting the stability of the Syrian Arab Republic, maintaining its territorial integrity, resuming its natural role in the Arab world, and the importance of continuing and intensifying Arab efforts aimed at assisting Syria in overcoming its crisis in line with the shared Arab interest and the fraternal relations that bind all Arab peoples.
4. We reaffirm our support for all that ensures the security and stability of the Republic of Yemen and realizes the aspirations of the Yemeni people, supporting UN and regional efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis.
5. We express our solidarity with Lebanon and urge all Lebanese parties to engage in dialogue to elect a president for the republic who meets the aspirations of the Lebanese people and ensures the regular functioning of constitutional institutions and the enactment of necessary reforms to rescue Lebanon from its crisis.
6. We emphasize the cessation of foreign interference in the internal affairs of Arab states and total rejection of supporting the formation of armed groups and militias outside state institutions. We affirm that internal military conflicts will not lead to the victory of one side over another but rather exacerbate the suffering of the peoples, cause extensive destruction of their achievements, and prevent the realization of the aspirations of our citizens.
7. We assert that sustainable development, security, stability, and living in peace are inherent rights of the Arab citizen, which can only be achieved through collective efforts and integration, firm combat against crime and corruption at all levels, and mobilizing energies and capabilities to create a future based on creativity and innovation while keeping pace with various developments in a manner that serves and enhances security, stability, and prosperity for the citizens of our countries.
8. We believe that visions and plans based on resource investment and opportunity utilization, addressing challenges, are capable of fostering development and activating existing potentials, utilizing technology to achieve a comprehensive Arab industrial and agricultural renaissance, integrated by the capabilities of our countries, which requires us to strengthen our solidarity, enhance our connectivity, and unite to realize the ambitions and aspirations of our Arab peoples.
9. We express our commitment to and pride in our values and culture based on dialogue, tolerance, openness, and non-interference in the affairs of others under any pretext.
10. We seek to strengthen the preservation of our culture and authentic Arab identity among our sons and daughters, emphasizing their pride in our values, customs, and traditions, making every possible effort to highlight our civilizational and intellectual heritage, and spreading our rich culture as a bridge to communicate with other cultures.
11. We appreciate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's keenness and interest in providing conducive conditions for achieving stability and economic growth in the region.
