Arab Summit's Amman declaration calls for restarting peace negotiations

The final communique of the Arab Summit, concluded Wednesday in Amman, emphasized that the Arab countries will continue to work towards re-launching serious and effective peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis to end this conflict based on the two-state solution, which brings about a Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The statement, read by Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, stressed that peace remains a strategic Arab option as envisioned in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which is the most comprehensive plan that is capable of achieving historic peace.

According to the Jordanian News Agency, Petra, the statement voiced rejection of all unilateral Israeli measures aimed at altering the legal and historical status of Muslim and Christian holy shrines in occupied Jerusalem. The statement paid tribute to Jordan's efforts to safeguard holy places in the city.

The statement demanded full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions that declare null and void all Israeli measures designed to change the identity of Jerusalem. It demanded world countries not to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem or declare the city a capital of Israel.

On Syria, the statement said Arab countries will intensify efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis, in order to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people, preserve the unity of Syria, protect its sovereignty and independence and eradicate all terrorist groups.

It added that there is no military solution to the crisis, and there is no way to stop the bloodshed but through a peaceful settlement that brings about a transition towards a political solution, formulated and agreed upon by all components of the Syrian people.

The statement voiced support to efforts to achieve peace through the Geneva process, which is the only framework for a peaceful solution, underlining the importance of the Astana talks in establishing a comprehensive cease-fire on all Syrian territory.

It urged the international community to continue supporting countries hosting Syrian refugees and emphasized the need to implement the outcome of the London Conference, calling for launching new programs to support refugee-host countries at a forthcoming conference in Brussels on April 5th.

It also said that addressing the basic needs of refugees is an investment in a secure future for the region and the world, saying the refugees and their children shouldn't be abandoned to destitution and despair.

It said Arab leaders had entrusted the Arab League Council, at the ministerial level, to discuss the establishment of a specific mechanism to assist Arab countries hosting refugees to enable them to shoulder this burden.

On Iraq, the statement reaffirmed that Iraq's security, stability, cohesion and territorial integrity are cornerstones of regional security and stability, pledging full support to that Arab country in its efforts to eliminate terrorist gangs and recapture the city of Mosul from Daesh gangs.

The statement hailed victories recorded by the Arab army in its battle to recapture territory held by the terrorist group. It also voiced support for Iraq's efforts to achieve national reconciliation, through promoting an all-encompassing political process without discrimination or exclusion.

Turning to Yemen, the statement renewed support for the Arab coalition's efforts aimed at supporting the legitimate leadership in this Arab country and end its crisis based on the GCC initiative.

On Libya, the statement stressed the need to achieve security and political stability in the North African Arab nation through a national reconciliation that is based on the "Skhirat" agreement in order to preserve the country's territorial unity and cohesion.

It affirmed the Arab nation's support to the Libyan people in their efforts to defeat terrorist gangs and eradicate the threat posed by terrorism to Libya and its neighbors.

The statement said Arab countries will mobilize all resources to fight terrorism and defeat terrorists on all fronts be they military or ideological. It added that terrorism must be uprooted to defend Islam and the values of tolerance, peace and respect of life.

The statement voiced the Arab countries' deep concern of mounting Islamophobia and attempts to link terrorism with Islam, saying such attempts serve terrorist groups which have nothing to do with Islam and its tolerant teachings.

Additionally, the statement condemned violence and human rights violations practiced against Myanmar's Muslim Rohingya minority, urging the international community to act and put an end to such violations.

The statement emphasized that Arab countries remain keen on having good-neighborliness and cooperation with regional countries to serve peace, security and development in the region. It voiced rejection of all attempts designed to destabilize the region and foment sectarian strife.

The statement reaffirmed the UAE's sovereignty on its three Islands occupied by Iran, calling on Tehran to respond to the UAE's initiative to find a peaceful solution to this issue either through direct negotiations or international arbitration. On Somalia, the statement congratulated the people of the Republic of Somalia on completing the electoral process, assuring Arab's support for them in their efforts to rebuild their country, confront economic and development challenges and fight terrorism.

On the 2014 Kuwait Summit, the statement renewed commitment to the that summit's declaration, which called upon all stakeholders in the educational process in the Arab countries to develop qualitative education curricula, especially the scientific curricula, to ensure that graduates have the knowledge and skills that enable them to contribute to advancing the development process and achieve the comprehensive Arab renaissance.

The statement instructed the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League, to prepare an action plan to implement the decisions of previous summits, aimed at developing economic and Arab cooperation, increasing trade exchange, linking infrastructure in the fields of transport and energy, and enhancing joint investments in Arab countries.

It voiced appreciation for the achievements made in the area of sustainable development, which economic policies must strive to maximize, saying Arab countries mandated the council to present proposals for the development of partnership with the private sector, creating a stimulating investment environment and making comprehensive recommendations before the upcoming summit.

The statement said will maintain close coordination and consultation in order to advance efforts to resolve crises, sustainable development, strengthen democratic values and uphold human rights.

Finally, the statement thanked Jordan and its people for their warm welcome and good preparation of the summit. It commended His Majesty King Abdullah II for his efforts to make the summit a platform for open and positive dialogue to improve intra-Arab relations and consolidate pan-Arab cooperation.

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