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Unified force to fight terrorism, preserve Arab nat'l security - Egypt Gen.

Egyptian Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Mahmoud Hegazi during Arab nat'l security meet
Egyptian Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Mahmoud Hegazi during Arab nat'l security meet
CAIRO, April 22 (KUNA) -- The proposed unified Arab force "is not directed against anybody, but aims to fight terrorism and maintain the Arab national security," Egyptian Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Mahmoud Hegazi has said.
This has brought it regional and international appreciation, Hegazi told the first meeting of the Arab armies' Chiefs of Staff held at the Arab League's headquarters in Cairo on Wednesday.
Participants are discussing the proposed unit, in pursuance of a decision by the 26th Arab Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh last month.
The challenges facing the Arab national security have become tangled and transgressing borders, with no obstacles, he said.
Hegazi stressed that no one can turn a blind eye to such events in any Arab country like infighting, infringement of legitimate authority and aggravation of terrorist organizations.
It is high time a unified Arab force was established to realize the expectations of the Arab peoples in security and stability, he said.
Hegazi underlined the importance of the force being ready for quick response if necessary based on an appeal from the concerned state, in line with its sovereignty and independence, as well as according to the provisions of the UN and the Arab League Charters and the International Law.
He pointed to a delay in forming such a force, saying that the Arab League had previously adopted similar initiatives to achieve the target "but various factors failed them." Some 18 Arab Chiefs of Staff are taking part in the meeting, while Algeria, Yemen and the Comoro Islands are represented by their permanent delegates to the League. Syria's seat is empty.
Kuwait is represented by Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Mohammad Khaled Al-Khudr. (pick up previous) mfm.rg.msa