By Mona Shashtar
KUWAIT, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- Speaker of the National Assembly Jassim Mohammad Al-Kharafi praised Wednesday the great role of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah behind the success of the Arab Economic Summit which wrapped up yesterday.
Speaking to KUNA, Al-Kharafi expressed his appreciation and the appreciation of the Kuwaiti people to His Highness the Amir, stressing that the summit was a "historical" event.
The venue was mainly an economic summit, but due to the Israeli aggression on Gaza Strip and the strain it put on Arab relations, Arab leaders decided to include the issue on their agenda to unite the Arab stances and decide on means to counter the offensive and deal with its impact on the ground, he said.
The wisdom and diplomatic expertise of Sheikh Sabah and his keenness on Arab unity contributed in minimizing the differences on the Israeli aggression on Gaza and reaching needed resolutions on economic and developmental issues, he added.
The speaker also praised the role of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia in supporting the efforts aiming at Arab conciliation and reaching a joint Arab stance on Palestine and Gaza.
He also expressed his appreciation for the role of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in lobbying international condemnation of the Israeli assault on Gaza.
He called all parties concerned to honor Arab values of brotherhood and implement agreements reached at the summit, as well as further Arab dialogue to realize unity.
In addition, he stressed that Palestinian unity was a major pillar of Arab unity and that divide among the Palestinians affected the relations among Arab countries.
Al-Kharafi also hailed the efforts of the head and members of the Kuwaiti delegation at the summit including Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Acting Oil Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Sabah.
He also thanked Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and league officials for their efforts in organizing and preparing for the summit, expressing his hope that the outcome of the gathering would serve as new start for joint Arab action.(end) ms.mms.ris KUNA 211224 Jan 09NNNN