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15:12 GMT
CAPITALS, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- Arab ministers and officials lauded Wednesday the outcomes of the Arab Economic Summit "In Solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza," both at the political and economic levels.
In Lebanon, former Premier Najib Miqati called for continuing in the reconciliation track laid by the Arab leaders at the summit, and hoped, in a statement to reporters, for a "qualitative leap" in inter-Arab relations which had been shaken by the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
He called for "fortifying the Arab front, as this will be in the interest of Arab causes." On his part, Lebanese Foreign Minister Fouzi Salloukh, in a statement upon arriving from Kuwait, expressed his appreciation for the Kuwaiti leader's effort to achieve Arab conciliation.
He said the summit created a "qualitative leap in inter-Arab relations, manifested in the meeting between the leaders -- especially on the part of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria." Meanwhile, Dean of Lebanese journalists Mohammad Baalbaki, in a cable to the Kuwaiti leader, underscored the role played by His Highness Sheikh Sabah in reuniting Arabs and congratulated him on succeeding to achieve conciliation.
And in Syria, Director General of UNRWA in Syria Banos Momis lauded His Highness the Amir's contribution of USD 34 million to the agency to cover its needs for projects to assist Palestinians.
Speaking to KUNA, he expressed his appreciation to the Kuwaiti leadership, government and people for this gesture, which he said would be directed to providing medicine, food and fuel to the Strip.
He called on the international community to walk in the footsteps of Kuwait and make contribution to UNRWA, adding that the outcomes of the summit would help in Gaza's reconstruction.
Meanwhile, Syria's Assistant Economy and Commerce Minister Dr. Ghassan Habash, in a statement to local television, said the summit had issued important resolutions aimed at elevating the standard of living of Arabs and positively reflected on their daily lives.
He noted that mechanisms were also approved to follow up the implementation of the resolutions, saying that this was of utmost importance.
In Tunisia, Minister of Commerce Rida Al-Tuwaiti lauded the results of the summit, especially as its economic dimensions included transportation and electricity linkage, the customs union, and boosting inter-Arab trade.
He told KUNA that one of the most important achievements of the summit was the issuance of a mechanism for implementing each of the resolutions The minister called for quickly implementing these resolutions in order to elevate the standard of living of Arabs and to reach Arab economic integration. (end) kt.ema KUNA 211812 Jan 09NNNN