By Mahmoud Boshehrie
AMMAN, March 28 (KUNA) -- Jordanian top lawmakers underlined the importance of the upcoming Arab summit, hosted in Jordan, affirming that the event will be a real opportunity for Arabs to recognize their issues and top priorities.
Two top Jordanian legislators said that the summit is "an exceptional opportunity and a genuine step" towards bringing back Arab unity, and activating joint action, including achieving the aspirations of the Arab world through the return of stability and boosting Arab economic integration.
The two officials made their remarks, in two separate statements to KUNA, marking the occasion of hosting the 28th regular session of the Arab summit due to take place on March 29.
Atef Al-Taraweneh, Speaker of Jordan's House of Representatives, said that this summit needed to strengthen Arab support to the Palestinians at all levels, including "making progress on the Palestinian reconciliation issue, and the renewal of Arab support for a political process to declare the establishment of a state with Jerusalem as its capital." He stressed the importance of "Arab consensus" to support the efforts for a political solution in Syria, being the only solution to ensure the national unity of the Arab country.
Regarding Iraq, Al-Taraweneh said this summit "must support anti-terrorism efforts in Iraq and support Iraq's reconciliation efforts which would protect it from the horror of sectarian division." Al-Taraweneh added that the Arab Summit Presidency, which will be chaired by Jordan for a full year, will benefit from "the effective and influential international presence of Jordan's King Abdullah, who is known for having a balanced Arab and foreign relations." On his part, Jordanian President of "Dignitaries" Senate Council Faisal Al-Fayez told KUNA that he hopes that this summit would be a real opportunity for the Arab world to reorganize priorities.
Al-Fayez said that the topics of Jerusalem and Middle East peace will be important issues on the agenda of the summit, which takes place in light of ongoing crises due to the repercussions of the Arab Spring.
Al-Fayez pointed out that the Arab people expect the outcome of this summit to contribute to suppressing conflicts, extremism, and sectarianism.
The Jordanian lawmaker expressed hope that this summit would also bolster Arab economic integration and the development of mechanisms.
Al-Fayez also mentioned that selecting Amman city as "the capital of harmony and agreement" as a venue for the summit underscored the importance of the pivotal role of Jordan in the region.
He also attributed Jordan's important status in the region to the relentless efforts exerted by Jordan's King Abdullah II, in finding a "just and peaceful" for problems facing the Middle East. (end) mjb.mb