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Arab leaders adopt Amman Declaration

DEAD SEA, Jordan, March 29 (KUNA) -- The 28th Arab Summit concluded its work on Wednesday with the issuance of Amman Declaration, a message to the world emphasizing the importance of adhering to Arab peace initiative, the rejection of foreign interference in Arab affairs and boosting Arab cooperation in combating terrorism.
The declaration, which was read by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmad AbulGheit at the closing session of the summit, stressed importance on continuing exerting efforts by Arab leaders to re-launch serious and effective Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations that shall end the political blockage and follow a specific timetable for ending the conflict on the basis of a two-state solution.
The declaration continue stressing on the need to have an independent Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital as the only way to achieve security and stability.
The declaration stressed that a comprehensive and lasting peace is a strategic choice as embodied in the Arab peace initiative adopted by the Beirut summit in 2002.
The initiative, also supported by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), is still the most comprehensive plan that has the potential of achieving historic reconciliation based on Israel's withdrawal from all Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese territories to the June 4, 1967, borders, and addressing all final status issues, foremost of which are the issues of the (Palestinian) refugee, security and peace by all Arab countries with Israel.
The Declaration affirms rejection of all unilateral Israeli steps aimed at changing the facts on the ground, undermining the two-state solution, and calling on the international community to implement the resolutions and international legitimacy.
Most recently, the Security Council resolution 2334 of 2016 which condemns Israeli settlements and land confiscation.
The leaders also renewed their support to the outcome of Paris Conference of January 2017, which renewed commitment to the international community on the two-state solution as the only way to achieve a lasting peace.
The leaders also reject all steps and measures taken by Israel to change the legal and historical situation in the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and commend efforts being made by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under the leadership of King Abdullah II.
The declaration also called for the implementation of all Security Council resolutions on Jerusalem, especially resolutions 252 of 1968, 267, 465 in 1980 and 478 in 1980, which are considers all Israeli measures null and void and aimed at changing the features and identity of East Jerusalem, demanding that all world's embassies not transfer to Jerusalem or to recognize it as the capital of Israel.
The declaration also stressed on the need to implement the decision of UNESCO Executive Council issued at the 200th session on October 18, 2016, which calls for an end to Israeli violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque and to recognize the management of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque Waqf as the "sole legal authority" administration and maintenance.
The leaders renewed support with the brotherly Palestinian people and supporting all efforts to achieve Palestinian reconciliation and form a government of national unity under the Palestinian national authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
The declaration also called for the intensification of efforts to find a peaceful solution to end the Syrian crisis in order to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people, preserve Syrian unity of Syria, and protect its sovereignty and independence.
The leaders also called for an end the existence of all terrorist groups based on the outcomes of Geneva 1 and based on statements by the international support group for Syria, resolution 2254 of 2015.
The leaders noted in this regard that in Syria there is no military solution to the crisis and no way to stop the bleedshed except by reaching a peaceful settlement that achieves a transition to a political reality formulated and agreed upon by all components of the Syrian people.
The Amman declaration underlined the importance of Astana talks in order to establish a comprehensive cease-fire on all Syrian territories, urging the international community to continue supporting the host countries of the Syrian refugees and stressing on the need to implement results of the London conference.

 On the Syrian refugee crisis, Arab leaders called for adopting new programs to support Syria neighboring countries at the Brussels conference, to be held on April 5.
They ordered the League's ministerial council to consider setting up a specific mechanism to help alleviate the burdens on Arab countries hosting Syrian refugees.
On Iraq, the Amman Declaration reiterated that Iraq's security, stability, cohesion and territorial integrity are a cornerstone of regional security and stability and Arab national security, stressing full support of Iraq in its efforts to eliminate terrorist groups and liberate Mosul from the so-called Islamic State (IS) gangs.
The declaration also praised the great achievements made by the Iraqi army in liberating other Iraqi provinces and regions.
The leaders expressed full support to all efforts aimed at restoring security and security to Iraq and achieving national reconciliation by devoting a political process to establishing the state of citizenship and ensuring justice and equality for all components of the Iraqi people, with no discrimination or exclusion.
The declaration also supports Arab alliance efforts in Yemen and ending the Yemeni crisis based on the Gulf initiative and its mechanisms, including the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and Security Council Resolution 2216 in 2015.
Which protects the independence and unity of Yemen and prevents interference in its internal affairs, including reconstruction initiatives that will help the brotherly Yemeni people rebuild their country.
The leaders stressed as well on the need to achieve security and political stability in Libya through a national reconciliation based on Al-Sukhairat agreement, which preserve Libya's unity, also renewing support to efforts exerted by Libya's neighboring countries and the UN.
The declaration asserted on the need to support Libyan legal institutions while supporting the four-way dialogue hosted by the Arab League with the participation of the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) for reaching an agreement to end the crisis.
The declaration also stressed Arab leaders' stand with Libyan brothers in their efforts to defeat terrorist gangs and eradicate the threat posed by terrorism in Libya and its neighbors.
The leaders also expressed commitment to devoting all necessary resources for the elimination of terrorist gangs in all fronts whether military, security, or intellectual confrontation.
Arab leaders also affirmed their continued fight against terrorism and the elimination of its causes within a "comprehensive strategy" that is central to resolving regional crises, promoting the values of democracy, respect for human rights and citizenship, and confronting ignorance and exclusion in the fragmentation of the despairing environments in which terrorism thrives.
The leaders also expressed deep concerns over the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia, and attempts to link Islam as a religion with terrorism and warned that such attempts serve only terrorist groups and their illusions, and couldn't be attributed to Islamic teachings, toleranance, or principles.
The Declaration condemned acts of violence and human rights violations against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar, expressing deep resentment at the tragic atrocity facing Muslim minority there, especially in Rakhine State.
They also called upon the international community to act effectively and by all diplomatic, legal and humanitarian means to stop these violations and to hold Myanmar government responsible legally and humanitarily. Arab leaders also stressed their keenness on building neighborly relations and cooperation with other countries to ensure security, peace, stability and development in the region.
The declaration rejects all interference in Arab countries internal affairs and condemn attempts to destabilize security, instigate sectarian violence or fueling conflicts, including the practices that violate the principles of good neighborly relations, the rules of international relations, the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
The leaders affirmed as well on the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates three islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa) and expressed their support for all peaceful measures and means taken to restore their sovereignty over them.
The declaration calls on Iran in this regard to respond to UAE's initiative to find a peaceful solution to the issue of the three islands through direct negotiations, or through a recourse to the International Court of Justice.
On Somalia, the declaration congratulated the Republic of Somalia on the completion of the electoral process and affirmed their support for efforts exerted to rebuild their country's economy, development, and facing challenges like fighting terrorism.
The leaders also reiterated their commitment to calls made during Kuwait summit of 2014, regarding concerned parties in the educational process in the Arab countries and to develop a qualitative development in the educational curricula, especially scientific curricula, to ensure that the graduates have the knowledge and skills that enable them to contribute to advancing the development process.
Arab leaders instructed the Arab League's Economic and Social Council to prepare a plan of action 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 boosting Arab investments in Arab countries.
The Amman Declaration also stressed on the necessity of making concrete progress towards establishing the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone and Customs Union. (end) amm.mjb.mb