Arab Summit Issues Final Communique
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/readsinglenews.php?id=1343682&content_id=&scroll=1

Sharm el-Sheikh, Jumada II 9, 1436, Mar 29, 2015, SPA -- The Arab leaders
issued the final communique at the end of their 26th summit that was
concluded here today.

The Arab leaders have agreed in principle to form a joint military force to
address growing Arab challenges and threats. The resolution came following
two-day meetings that focused on Yemen, Libya, Syria and terrorism.

Under the resolution, it is up to each Arab country to join the joint
military force, which will be mainly tasked with swift military intervention
in case an Arab League member state comes under threats, including terrorist
ones. Arab leaders asked Secretary-General of the Arab League Nabil Al-Araby
to meet with Arab chiefs of staff within one month to discuss the details of
the joint force.

The Arab leaders have re-affirmed unwavering support for the UAE's full
sovereignty on the three Gulf islands; Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu
Musa.

The Arab leaders declared backing for all measures and peaceful means Abu
Dhabi may resort to restore its sovereignty on the three occupied islands.

The Arab leaders condemned Iran's action aimed at bolstering its occupation
of the three islands, its recurring breaches of the memorandum of
understanding, signed by the two countries on Abu Musa, on November 20,
1971. Iran has taken provocative actions aimed at altering the island's
demographic status, through construction of housing units and settling
non-natives on it, in addition to illegitimate construction of installations
as well as carrying out military maneuvers and drills.

The final communique clarified that the Iranians have been building
hospitals and facilities for economic, cultural, social, sports and
religious purposes. Moreover, the island often witnesses visits by Iranian
officials. Such acts constitute blatant breaches of the UAE sovereignty on
the three islands; they are illegal and do not erase the fact that the UAE
enjoys sovereignty on the three islands.

The Arab leaders urged Iran to respect the UAE sovereignty on the islands,
halt such violations and provocative acts that constitute intervention in
internal affairs of an independent and sovereignty state. Moreover, it urged
Tehran to abstain from enforcing a de facto situation and halt building
installations, with intention to change the demographic status on the
islands.

Furthermore, the summiteers urged the government in Tehran to accept direct
negotiations with Abu Dhabi or resort to the International Court of Justice
to seek a peaceful settlement to the issue on basis of international laws
and rules.

The Arab leaders have reaffirmed full support to the 'Determination Storm'
operation in support of legitimacy in Yemen. They empathized that the
operation was based on the Arab Treaty of Joint Defense, the Arab League
Charter and Article 51 of the UN Charter, as well as the responsibilities of
maintaining the national unity, sovereignty and independence of the Arab
states.

The Arab leaders expressed hope that the compelling military measures would
restore security and stability to all Yemen under constitutional legitimacy,
countering Houthis' attempts supported by external parties. These external
parties aim to threaten security of Yemen, the region and the Arab national
security, as well as the international peace and security through
sequestration of the Yemeni will, arousing seditions and dismantling the
country's social fabric and national unity.

The Arab leaders urged the Houthi militias to immediately withdraw from the
capital Sana'a, other towns, and the government institutions as well as
normalizing the security situation in Sana'a and other governorates, besides
returning the heavy and medium weaponry to the constitutional legitimate
authorities.

The Arab leaders reiterated the full commitment to Yemen's unity, and
respect of its sovereignty and independence, rejecting all forms of
intervention in its internal affairs. They voiced support to the Yemeni
people and their expectations for freedom, democracy and social justice, as
well as enabling them to achieve comprehensive development.

The Arab leaders underlined the importance of urgently responding to Yemen
President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi's call for a conference on Yemen to be
held in the Saudi capital of Riyadh under the umbrella of the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC). All Yemeni powers and parties keen on the
country's security and stability are supposed to come together for a
national dialogue. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud was commended for welcoming to host the conference in
Riyadh.

The Arab leaders welcomed a UN Security Council statement, adopted on 22
March 2015, demanding the Houthis and their allies to stop their aggressions
against the Yemeni governorates, especially on Ta'izz and Aden. The Arab
leaders welcomed the request by the Yemeni President for safeguarding
Yemen's constitutional legitimacy, and eagerness on the implementation of
the GCC Initiative, and the Security Council relevant resolutions.

They underlined support to the Yemeni leadership and people in their
continuous and open war against terrorism and piracy and emphasized the
necessity of making urgent arrangements to handle the deteriorating
humanitarian situation in Yemen, where more than 16 million people are
suffering severe shortage of food and medical care.

--SPA
18:16 LOCAL TIME 15:16 GMT