LOC12:38
09:38 GMT
KUWAIT, Jan 19 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti newspapers have welcomed Arab leaders participating in the Arab Economic, Social, and Development Summit, which has just kicked off here.
They expressed the wish that the summit "In solidarity with the Palestinian People in Gaza" will be a good opportunity for Arabs to unify their ranks and to consider how to fend off the fallout of the current global financial mayhem.
Al-Watan says, in its editorial, that Kuwait opens its arms today to welcome the Arab nation's leaders to serve as venue to restore unity.
Al-Seyassah also stresses hopes are pinned on today's summit to link Arab interests together far from foreign agendas and externally imposed concerns.
It notes that it was the desire of Arab leaders for the Kuwait summit to be an economic gathering.
In its editorial, Al-Anbaa urges Arab leaders to bury the hatchet and turn over a new chapter so that the Arab world may restore its influential position on the international arena in view of economy and politics.
It wishes that the gathering will approve the implementation of all draft deals and agreements discussed during preparatory meetings.
Al-Sawt editorializes that the summit shows Kuwait's belief in genuine Arab economic integrity and integration.
The gathering provides Arab countries with an opportunity to have a fresh unique beginning in the interest of the Arab people, it says.
Al-Jarida meanwhile says the summit comes at a time when there are Arab differences in stances on the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, so it should be an opportunity for ending the divide.
Al-Ruaia newspaper hails His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's initiative for holding the summit as the first Arab economic gathering of its kind.
It stresses the importance of the event in improving the living conditions of Arab citizens and ideally utilizing Arab natural resources.
Finally, Awan daily says development is the major challenge facing the Arab people, noting that interaction with issues to be discussed during the summit and translation of intentions into deeds is the best way to obtain Arab consensus.(end) ff.mt KUNA 191238 Jan 09NNNN