["THE GATHERING STRESSED THE RIGHT OF THE PALESTINIAN REFUGES TO RETURN TO
THEIR HOMES, ...THE MEETING STRONGLY CONDEMNED INTERNATIONAL
TERRORISM...DRAWING A LINE BETWEEN TERRORISM AND THE LEGITIMATE RESISTANCE
AGAINST THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION"].

Arabic Sumit 1428-2007

ARAB SUMMIT ISSUES DECISIONS
www.spa.gov.sa/English/ContentPage.php?cid=38&id=14487

RIYADH, MAR. 29, SPA -- THE 19TH ARAB SUMMIT, WHICH CONCLUDED ITS
DELIBERATIONS IN RIYADH TODAY UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE CUSTODIAN OF THE
TWO HOLY MOSQUES KING ABDULLAH BIN ABDULAZIZ, HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING
DECISIONS:

THE CONFERENCE APPROVED AND LAUDED THE REPORT PRESENTED BY THE FORMER
CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMIT, PRESIDENT OMER HASAN ALBASHEIR OF THE SUDAN. THE
CONFERENCE ALSO PASSED AND PRAISED THE REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE ARAB LEAGUE
SECRETARY GENERAL AMR MOUSA.

THE SUMMIT DECIDED THE CONVOKING OF AN ARAB CONSULTATIVE SUMMIT TO TACKLE A
SPECIFIC ISSUE, IF DEEMED NECESSARY. THE SUMMIT WILL BE PREPARED BY FOREIGN
MINISTERS COUNCIL IN COOPERATION WITH THE ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARIAT GENERAL.
CLOSED-DOOR DISCUSSIONS WILL BE CONFINED TO THE ISSUE OF CONCERN.
CONSULTATIVE MEETING WILL NEVER PREVENT THE CONVOKING OF THE SCHEDULED
ORDINARY SUMMIT IN MARCH EVERY YEAR.

THE CONFERENCE ASSERTED THAT THE ISSUES OF ARAB NATIONAL SECURITY
NECESSITATE TACKLING FROM A COMPREHENSIVE AND FULL-FLEDGED PERSPECTIVE THAT
TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION THE SOURCES AND FORMS OF POLITICAL, SECURITY,
ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL THREATS COMING FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE ARAB
COUNTRIES.

IN THIS REGARD, AN OPEN EXPERT-LEVEL TASK FORCE WILL BE FORMED TO DETERMINE
THE NATURE OF CURRENT AND FUTURE RISKS AND CHALLENGES FACING THE ARAB UMMAH
AND FORGE APPROPRIATE PROPOSALS.

THE SUMMIT REITERATED THE ADHERENCE OF ALL ARAB COUNTRIES TO THE ARAB PEACE
INITIATIVE AS IT WAS APPROVED BY BEIRUT SUMMIT 2002 WITH ALL ITS COMPONENTS
BASED ON THE INTERNATIONAL LEGITIMACY RESOLUTIONS AND ITS PRINCIPLES T END
THE ARAB ISRAELI CONFLICT AND BRING ABOUT FAIR AND COMPREHENSIVE PEACE THAT
ACHIEVE SECURITY FOR ALL COUNTRIES OF THE REGION AND ENABLE THE PALESTINIAN
PEOPLE TO SET UP THERE INDEPENDENT STATE WITH EASTERN AL-QUDS AS CAPITAL.

THE CONFERENCE ALSO REITERATED THE CALL FOR THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT AND
ISRAELIS TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCEPT THE ARAB PEACE INITIATIVE TO
RESUME DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS AND SHOW SERIOUSNESS ON ALL TRACKS.

THE CONFERENCE CONFIRMED COMPLETE SUPPORT FOR MAKKAH AGREEMENT REACHED UNDER
THE PATRONAGE OF THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES, APPRECIATING THE
EFFORTS EXERTED BY OTHER ARAB COUNTRIES, THE ARAB LEAGUE, AND OIC, WHICH
CONTRIBUTED TO REACHING THE AGREEMENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE FORMATION OF A
NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT.

THE SUMMIT CALLED ON ALL ARAB COUNTRIES TO EXTEND SUPPORT FOR THE
PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT AND HIS NATIONAL GOVERNMENT TO ENABLE THEM FULFILL
THEIR NATIONAL DUTIES IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND
ACHIEVE THEIR NATIONAL INTERESTS AND GOALS.

THE ARAB COUNTRIES SHOULD NOT CEDE TO THE SIEGE MEASURES IMPOSED ON THE
PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, THE LEADERS SAID, ADDING THAT INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS AND COUNTRIES ARE INVITED TO PRACTICE IMMEDIATE LIFT OF THE
BLOCKADE, RECOGNIZE THE PALESTINIAN UNITY GOVERNMENT AND DEAL WITH IT
WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION.

THE CONFERENCE CONDEMNED THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND MILITARY SIEGE AND ALL
HOSTILITY ACTIONS TAKEN BY ISRAEL THAT LED TO SERIOUS LOSSES IN LIVES AND
PROPERTY AND HELD ISRAEL RESPONSIBLE OF THOSE LOSSES, CALLING ON IT TO
SHOULDER THE NECESSARY INDEMNITY.

THE CONFERENCE ALSO CALLED ON THE WORLD COMMUNITY TO RESUME ITS ASSISTANCE
TO THE PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY AND THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND RESPECT
THEIR DEMOCRATIC CHOICE.

THE SUMMIT CALLED FOR COERCING ISRAEL TO SET FREE ALL PALESTINIAN PRISONERS
AND DETAINEES TOLL OF AN ESTIMATED 10,000 IN THE ISRAELI JAILS, INCLUDING
THE SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND SOME OF ITS MEMBERS, AND
MINISTERS.

THE LEADERS DEMANDED THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS TO EXERT
STRENUOUS EFFORTS AND TAKE ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO SECURE THE PROMPT AND
UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ARRESTED PALESTINIAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN ISRAELI
PRISONS, PROVIDE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION FOR THEM ACCORDING TO UN
RESOLUTION NO . 1325 ISSUED IN OCTOBER 2000 AND RELEVANT UN RESOLUTIONS.

THEY ALSO CALLED ON THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO BEAR ITS RESPONSIBILITIES
TOWARD THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE BY SENDING INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS FOR
PROTECTING THEM AGAINST CONTINUOUS ATROCITIES AND AGGRESSION AND TO MOUNT
ENOUGH PRESSURE ON ISRAEL TO HALT ITS CONTINUOUS MILITARY ATTACKS AGAINST
THE PALESTINIANS.

THE SECRETARIAT GENERAL OF THE ARAB LEAGUE WAS ASSIGNED BY THE SUMMIT TO
PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT AND THE PALESTINIAN NATIONAL
AUTHORITY TO FORGE A QUICK SOLUTION TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR PALESTINIAN
REFUGEES IN IRAQ.

THE SUMMIT CALLED ON THE SECRETARIAT GENERAL AND THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COUNCIL OF THE AL AND OTHER SPECIALIZED ARAB ORGANIZATIONS TO WORK IN
COOPERATION OF THE PALESTINIAN NATIONAL UNITY TO CONDUCT COMPREHENSIVE
STUDIES AIMING AT FORMULATING APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS TO COMPLETE AND SUPPORT
THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE HIERARCHY AND INSTITUTIONAL AND
TECHNICAL ABILITIES NECESSARY FOR RUNNING THE CIVIL AFFAIRS OF THE
PALESTINIAN SOCIETY, UPGRADING THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC SERVICES, INCREASING THE
OUTPUT ABILITY OF THE PALESTINIAN ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS TO COPE WITH THE
PRIORITIES OF BUILDING A PALESTINIAN STATE IN THE FIELDS OF PRODUCTION AND
SERVICES THROUGH PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF ARAB PALESTINIAN COOPERATION IN
WHICH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION BODIES, TRAINING INSTITUTIONS AND ARAB
DEVELOPMENT FINANCE FUNDS COULD TAKE PART.

THE SUMMIT EXTENDED THANKS TO THE ARAB COUNTRIES WHO LIVED UP TO THEIR
COMMITMENTS, TOTALLY OR PARTIALLY, IN CONTRIBUTING TO AL-AQSA AND AL-QUADS
UPRISING FUND, PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY BUDGET AND CALLED ON THOSE WHO
REMAINED SHORT OF THEIR COMMITMENTS TO PAY THEIR ARREARS.

THE ARAB COUNTRIES WERE CALLED ON TO CONTINUE THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE
PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY BUDGET.

THE LEADERS THANKED THE FRIENDLY COUNTRIES FOR THEIR INVALUABLE SUPPORT FOR
THE BUDGET OF THE PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY AND CALLED ON THEM TO
PROCEED WITH THAT AID.

THE ARAB LEADERS LAUDED LEBANON'S RESISTANCE OF THE ISRAELI BRUTAL
AGGRESSION, CONSIDERING THE UNITY OF LEBANESE PEOPLE IN FACING THE
AGGRESSION A GUARANTEE FOR THE FUTURE OF LEBANON AND ITS SECURITY AND
STABILITY.

THEY ALSO REITERATED FULL ARAB SOLIDARITY WITH LEBANON AND PROVIDE POLITICAL
AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT TO THE LEBANESE GOVERNMENT IN A WAY THAT MAINTAINS
LEBANESE NATIONAL UNITY AS WELL AS LEBANON'S SECURITY, STABILITY AND
SOVEREIGNTY OVER ALL OF ITS TERRITORY.

THEY COMMENDED THE NATIONAL ROLE PLAYED BY LEBANESE ARMY IN THE SOUTH AND IN
ALL REGIONS OF LEBANON ACCORDING TO THE LEBANESE GOVERNMENT DECISION AND
SUPPORTED THE MISSION OF THIS ARMY AS DECIDED BY THE LEBANESE COUNCIL OF
MINISTERS TO ENFORCE THE LEBANESE SOVEREIGNTY OVER ALL ITS TERRITORY,
THANKING BROTHERLY AND FRIENDLY COUNTRIES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO
STRENGTHENING UNIFIL TROOPS AS STATED IN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO.
1701 / 2006.

THE SUMMIT EMPHASIZED THE NEED TO ACHIEVE A FIRM AND LASTING CEASE-FIRE,
CONDEMNED THE ISRAELI VIOLATIONS OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS NO. 1701 /
2006, HELD ISRAEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE VIOLATIONS AND CALLED ON THE
SECURITY COUNCIL TO BEAR ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TO FORCE ISRAEL TO ABIDE BY
FULL CEASE-FIRE AND STOP ITS VIOLATIONS OF LEBANESE SOVEREIGNTY OF LAND, SEA
AND AIR.

THE SUMMIT ALSO ASSERTED LEBANON'S RIGHT TO CONTROL ITS WATER TERRITORIES IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL LAW AND IN OPPOSITION TO ISRAELI
AMBITIONS.

ARAB LEADERS WELCOMED THE SEVEN-POINT PLAN PRESENTED BY THE LEBANESE
GOVERNMENT, CALLING ON THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL AND SECURITY COUNCIL TO TAKE
THE LEBANESE PROPOSAL, INCLUDED IN THIS PLAN REGARDING SHEBAA FARMS AREA,
INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL PRESENTS HIS PROPOSALS ON
THIS SUBJECT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 1701 / 2006.

ARAB LEADERS ALSO CALLED ON ALL CONCERNED PARTIES TO COOPERATE WITH THE
UNITED NATIONS TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE IN A WAY THAT ENSURE THE
RIGHTS OF LEBANON.

THE CONFEREES HELD ISRAEL FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AGGRESSION AND THE
CONSEQUENCES INCURRED BY LEBANON IN THE SUMMER OF 2006 AS WELL AS THE
DELIBERATE TARGETING OF CIVILIANS AND INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH CONSTITUTE A
FLAGRANT AND GRAVE VIOLATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LAW, PARTICULARLY THE
INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW AND THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 1949.

THEY ALSO HELD ISRAEL RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPENSATING LEBANON AND THE LEBANESE
CITIZENS FOR THE TRAGIC DIRECT AND INDIRECT LOSS THAT AFFECTED THE LEBANESE
PEOPLE AND ECONOMY DUE TO THE ISRAELI AGGRESSION.

ARAB LEADERS CONSIDERED ISRAEL ACTS DURING ITS AGGRESSION AGAINST LEBANON A
WAR CRIME THAT NECESSITATE CHASING THE PERPETRATORS TO APPEAR BEFORE THE
CONCERNED INTERNATIONAL REFERENCES, WELCOMING THE RESOLUTION ADOPTED
UNANIMOUSLY BY HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON 8/12/2006 COMMENDING THE REPORT AND
RECOMMENDATIONS OF INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED BY THE COUNCIL ON
11/8/2006 WHICH CONDEMNED THE ISRAELI VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS DURING THE
RECENT ISRAELI AGGRESSION AGAINST LEBANON.

THE SUMMIT THANKED MEMBER STATES FOR URGENTLY ASSISTING LEBANON IN THE FIELD
OF RELIEF AND RECONSTRUCTION AS WELL AS FOR THEIR SUPPORT DECLARED DURING
ARAB AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR THE SUPPORT OF LEBANON /PARIS 3/ HELD
IN 25/1/2007.

THEY ALSO LAUDED THE DRAFT OF REFORM AND ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT
PROGRAMME PRESENTED BY THE LEBANESE GOVERNMENT TO MODERNIZE THE LEBANESE
ECONOMY AND ENHANCE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH RATES IN ADDITION TO IMPROVE LIVING
CONDITIONS FOR ALL LEBANESE.

THE CONFERENCE ADOPTED A PLAN FOR SUPPORTING LEBANON DURING THE
RECONSTRUCTION PHASE AND DEVELOPMENT ITS ECONOMY PRESENTED BY THE ECONOMIC
AND SOCIAL COUNCIL WHICH MET IN BEIRUT ON 16-17/10/2006.

THE CONFERENCE ALSO URGED MEMBER STATES TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS
ISSUED BY THE COUNCIL, THANKING THE MEMBER STATES AND ARAB FUNDS WHICH
PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED AIDS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE LEBANESE
GOVERNMENT.

THE CONFERENCE DEMANDED THE REST OF MEMBER STATES TO FULFILL THEIR
OBLIGATIONS STATED IN ARAB SUMMIT CONFERENCES REGARDING THE SUPPORT FOR
LEBANON.

ARAB LEADERS AFFIRMED SUPPORTING LEBANON IN:
-- ITS SOVEREIGN RIGHT TO PRACTICE ITS POLITICAL CHOICES WITHIN
CONSTITUTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
-- ITS DEMAND FOR THE RELEASE OF LEBANESE PRISONERS AND DETAINEES IN ISRAELI
PRISONS.
-- ITS DEMAND FOR THE REMOVAL OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MINES LEFT BEHIND
BY THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION.
-- ITS CALL ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS WELL AS JUDICIAL AND POLITICAL
AUTHORITIES TO PUT PRESSURE ON ISRAEL TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION TO LEBANON FOR
THE LOSS AND DAMAGE RESULTING FROM ISRAEL'S OCCUPATION AND REPEATED ATTACKS
ON THE LEBANESE TERRITORIES.

WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF LEBANESE AGREEMENT ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SETTING UP A
COURT OF AN INTERNATIONAL NATURE, THE SUMMIT STRESSED THE NEED FOR
UNEARTHING THE TRUTH BEHIND THE TERRORIST ASSASSINATION THAT TOOK THE LIFE
OF PRIME MINISTER RAFIQ AL-HARIRI AND HIS COLLEAGUES AS WELL AS THE OTHER
TERRORIST ASSASSINATIONS EVER SINCE THE ATTEMPT AGAINST MINISTER MARWAN
HAMADAH.

THE GATHERING STRESSED THE RIGHT OF THE PALESTINIAN REFUGES TO RETURN TO
THEIR HOMES, WARNING THAT FAILURE TO SOLVE THE ISSUE OF THE PALESTINIANS
RESIDING IN LEBANON AND ATTEMPTS TO RESETTLE THEM WILL DESTABILIZE THE
REGION AND HINDER THE ACHIEVEMENT OF A JUST PEACE IN THE REGION.

THE MEETING STRONGLY CONDEMNED INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, NOTING THAT THE ARAB
STATES ARE EFFECTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS AND DRAWING A
LINE BETWEEN TERRORISM AND THE LEGITIMATE RESISTANCE AGAINST THE ISRAELI
OCCUPATION.

CONSIDERING LEBANON AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ARAB NATION, THE SUMMIT URGED
ALL LEBANESE FACTIONS TO ENTER INTO A NATIONAL DIALOGUE, CALLING ON ALL
LEBANESE TO EXERT EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE CURRENT POLITICAL CRISIS.

THE SUMMIT STRESSED THAT THE ARAB PERCEPTION OF A POLITICAL AND SECURITY
SOLUTION FOR THE CHALLENGES FACED BY IRAQ IS BASED ON RESPECT FOR IRAQ'S
UNITY, SOVEREIGNTY, INDEPENDENCE AND ARAB-ISLAMIC IDENTITY.

THE LEADERS SAID IRAQ'S STABILITY AND OVERCOMING ITS PRESENT CRISIS REQUIRE
A BALANCED POLITICAL AND SECURITY SOLUTION ADDRESSING THE CAUSES OF THE
CRISIS AND WEEDING OUT THE ROOTS OF TERRORISM AD SECTARIAN SEDITION.

THE GATHERING ALSO STRESSED THE NEED FOR RESPECTING THE WILL OF THE IRAQI
PEOPLE TO DETERMINE THEIR POLITICAL FUTURE. ADDING THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
SECURITY AND STABILITY IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE IRAQI NATIONAL
UNITY GOVERNMENT, CONSTITUTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND POLITICAL LEADERS. THIS IS
IN ADDITION TO THE SUPPORT OF ARAB COUNTRIES AND IRAQ'S NEIGHBORS FOR
EFFORTS BEING MADE TO ACHIEVE NATIONAL RECONCILIATION.

THE SUMMIT STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE ACTS OF TERROR AGAINST THE IRAQI PEOPLE
AND THEIR INSTITUTIONS AS THEY THREATEN PEACE AND SECURITY. IT ALSO WELCOMED
THE SERIOUS STEPS TAKEN BY THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE SECURITY
PLAN, ENFORCE LAW AND END VIOLENCE.

THE MEETING ALSO SUPPORTED THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO REORGANIZE ITS
SECURITY INSTITUTIONS ON NATIONALISTIC AND PROFESSIONAL BASIS ,CALLING FOR
EFFECTIVE ARAB PARTICIPATION IN THESE EFFORTS.

THE SUMMIT WELCOMED THE MAIN OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES CONTAINED IN THE
MAGNA CHARTA ADOPTED AT A MEETING AT THE UN HEADQUARTERS ON MARCH 16,2007.

THE MEETING URGED MEMBER STATES TO WRITE OFF THE DEBTS AWED BY IRAQ.

THE SUMMIT STRESSED ITS SUPPORT FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES' FULL
SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE THREE ISLANDS OF GREATER AND LESSER TOMB AND ABU MUSA,
BACKING WHATEVER MEASURES ARE TAKEN BY THE UAE TO REGAIN SOVEREIGNTY OVER
THE ISLANDS. IT ALSO CONDEMNED IRAN'S CONTINUED OCCUPATION OF THESE ISLANDS.

THE GATHERING ALSO UNDERLINED LIBYA'S LEGITIMATE RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATIONS
FOR THE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IT.

THE SUMMIT REJECTED THE SO-CALLED SYRIA'S ACCOUNTABILITY LAW, CONSIDERING IT
AS A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAWFUL RESOLUTIONS AND ARAB LEAGUE CHARTER,
GIVING US LAWS SUPREMACY OVER INTERNATIONAL LAW.

THE MEETING STRESSED THE BROTHERLY, HISTORIC TIES BETWEEN LEBANON AND SYRIA
BASED ON MUTUAL RESPECT FOR SOVEREIGNTY AND INDEPENDENCE.

THE CONFERENCE EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR EFFORTS BEING MADE BY THE ARAB
LEAGUE IN COOPERATION WITH THE AU, UN AND EU TO RESOLVE DARFUR CRISIS,
STRESSING THE NEED FOR THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT AND THE AFRICAN UNION TO
CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH SECURITY AND STABILITY IN DARFUR.

THE MEETING THANKED THE STATES THAT HAVE PAID THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT
THE AU FORCES, CALLING ON THOSE WHO DEFAULTED IN THEIR PAYMENT TO FULFILL
THEIR COMMITMENT.

THE CONFEREES CALLED UPON THE ARMED GROUPS THAT FAILED TO SIGN THE DARFUR
PEACE AGREEMENT TO RENOUNCE MILITARY ESCALATION.

THE MEETING ALSO CALLED ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO FULFILL ITS
COMMITMENT TOWARDS BACKING AND IMPLEMENTING DARFUR PEACE AGREEMENT,
EXTENDING THE NECESSARY MATERIAL SUPPORT TO THE AU MISSION IN DARFUR.

THE GATHERING WELCOMED THE STEPS BEING TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THE COMPREHENSIVE
PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT AND THE SUDAN LIBERATION
MOVEMENT, SIGNED IN NAIROBI. IT ALSO WELCOMED THE PEACE AGREEMENT SIGNED
BETWEEN SUDAN'S GOVERNMENT AND EASTERN SUDAN FRONT SIGNED IN ASMARA.

THE SUMMIT WELCOMED THE AFRICAN UNION'S DECISION TO SEND AFRICAN TROOPS TO
BOLSTER STABILITY IN SOMALIA, CALLING ON THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT TO CONTINUE
COOPERATION WITH THE AU, UN AND IGAD TO ENSURE THE SPEEDY IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE RESOLUTION TO DEPLOY PEACE KEEPING TROOPS IN SOMALIA TO HELP ACHIEVE
STABILITY AND SECURITY, PAVING THE WAY FOR DIALOGUE AND NATIONAL
RECONCILIATION IN SOMALIA. IT ALSO CALLED ON MEMBER STATES TO EXTEND VARIOUS
FORMS OF SUPPORT TO SOMALI GOVERNMENT.

THE CONFERENCE STRESSED KEENNESS ON THE NATIONAL UNITY OF COMORO REPUBLIC
AND THE IT TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, WELCOMING EFFORTS BY THE ARAB LEAGUE, THE
AFRICAN UNION, THE UNITED NATIONS AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES WITH REGARD TO
IMPLEMENTING MORONI NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AGREEMENT SIGNED IN DECEMBER,
2003.

ARAB LEADERS DECIDED TO CONVENE AN EXTRA ORDINARY MINISTERIAL LEVEL MEETING
OF THE ARAB LEAGUE COUNCIL, PRECEDED BY A MEETING OF A COMMITTEE OF SENIOR
ARAB OFFICIALS TO EVALUATE ARAB EFFORTS TO RID THE MIDDLE EAST REGION OF
NUCLEAR AND OTHER MASS DESTRUCTION WEAPONS.

THEY URGED THE COUNCIL TO ASSESS THE ARAB POLICY ADOPTED DURING THE PAST
DECADES IN LIGHT OF INTERNATIONAL CHANGES, REVIEWING THE SUCCESSFUL ASPECTS
AND REASONS OF FAILURE.

THE COUNCIL IS ALSO REQUIRED TO PROPOSE A PRACTICAL MECHANISM TO RID THE
MIDDLE EAST OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

THE SUMMIT CALLED ON THE ARAB STATES TO EXPAND THE USE OF PEACEFUL NUCLEAR
TECHNOLOGY IN ALL DOMAINS SERVING CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT, MINDFUL OF THE
DIVERSITY OF ARAB STATES' NEEDS. IT ALSO CALLED FOR THE SETTING UP OF BODIES
AND ORGANIZATIONS CONCERNED WITH THE PEACEFUL USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY IN EACH
ARAB COUNTRY.

THE SUMMIT STRESSED ANEW IT DENUNCIATION OF ALL FORMS OF TERRORISM FOR
WHATEVER MOTIVES OR JUSTIFICATIONS, REJECTING ANY CONFUSION BETWEEN
TERRORISM AND MAGNANIMOUS ISLAM WHICH CALLS FOR UPHOLDING TOLERANCE AND
SHUNNING TERRORISM AND EXTREMISM.

THE CONFERENCE UNDERLINED THE NEED FOR CONTINUED EFFORTS TO REMOVE OBSTACLES
HINDERING THE PROMOTION OF ARAB-AFRICAN COOPERATION.

IT ALSO CALLED FOR CONTINUED EFFORTS BY THE ARAB GENERAL SECRETARIAT AND THE
AU COMMISSION FOR HOLDING THE SECOND ARAB AFRICAN SUMMIT AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.

THE MEETING ASKED THE SECRETARY GENERAL TO PURSUE EFFORTS AND CONTACTS WITH
THE EU PRESIDENCY AND THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO DEVELOP COLLECTIVE
ARAB-EUROPEAN RELATIONS INCLUDING JOINT ARAB EUROPEAN DIALOGUE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE HIGHER ARAB INTERESTS.

STRESSING ITS PREVIOUS DECISIONS, THE MEETING EXPRESSED ANEW THE ARAB
COUNTRIES KEENNESS ON ENHANCING RELATIONS WITH THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA IN ALL SPHERES.

THE CONFERENCE WELCOMED THE CONVENING OF THE SECOND SUMMIT FOR ARAB AND
LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES SCHEDULED FOR MOROCCO IN EARLY 2008.

THE SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED FOR CONDUCTING A TRUE DIALOGUE AMONG
CIVILIZATIONS AS PART OF THE ARAB STANCE, CALLING FOR ADOPTION OF THE
CULTURE OF DIALOGUE AND INTERLACING OF CIVILIZATIONS WITH A VIEW TO
ESTABLISHING MORE BALANCED INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND ENSURING WORLD PEACE
AND SECURITY.

THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE GENERAL STRUCTURE OF THE EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME OF THE
ARAB CUSTOMS UNION. IT ALSO APPROVED THE CONTINUOUS ARAB AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.

ARAB LEADERS URGED THE ARAB STATES TO STUDY THE ENACTMENT OF LAWS AND
REGULATIONS TO ENCOURAGE INTER-ARAB TOURISM. THEY ALSO CALLED ON MEMBER
STATES TO SUPPORT THE RECONSTRUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND
INFRASTRUCTURE DESTROYED BY THE ISRAELI AGGRESSION IN GAZA STRIP AND THE
WEST BANK.

FINALLY, THE ARAB LEADERS DECIDED TO CONVENE THE 20TH ARAB LEAGUE COUNCIL AT
THE SUMMIT LEVEL UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC IN MARCH
2008.

-- SPA