Nouakchott Declaration stresses centrality of Palestinian issue, calls for developing counter-terrorism mechanisms

NOUAKCHOTT, 26th July, 2016 (WAM)--The Arab leaders stressed yesterday in the conclusion of the Nouakchott Summit, held in Mauritania, their commitment to developing anti-terrorism mechanisms, boosting security and peace, warding off the culture of extremism and hate speech. The Nouakchott Declaration emphasised the centrality of the Palestinian issue and urged for comprehensive, just and durable peace based on the Arab initiative. The 27th Arab summit discussed a number of conflicts, especially in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Libya, and also discussed plans and initiatives to enhance the Arab cooperation. The Arab leaders welcomed the French initiative that calls for convening an international peace conference before the end of this year. They noted that before the conference all the Israeli settlement activities must be halted to help achieve the Palestinian people's dream of establishing their independent and sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with the time frame. The communique called on the parties in Libya to pursue building of state to deal with terrorist groups. It appealed to the parties in Yemen to give dialogue a chance and work out of Kuwait with positive results to restore Yemen's security, stability and its territorial integrity at the earliest. The communique called Syrians to reach a political solution that preserves the unity of Syria, and safeguards its independence. It supports Iraq to preserve its territorial integrity and backs it in the face of terrorist groups to liberate its territory from the Daesh terrorist organisation. The leaders welcomed the progress made regarding the Somali national reconciliation and the rebuilding of state institutions. They stressed their solidarity with the Republic of Sudan in its efforts to promote peace and development and in safeguarding its national sovereignty. They welcomed the national dialogue process, and ongoing efforts related to activating the Sudan's initiative on the Arab food security as one of the Arab national security pillars. The Arab leaders backed the Arab and international humanitarian relief efforts to provide urgent relief aid to those affected by wars and conflicts, be they refugees or displaced people. They also called for developing the Arab humanitarian relief work mechanisms to meet urgent humanitarian needs and help those affected and the host countries. They renewed their call for obliging Israel to join The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and to subject its nuclear facilities and programmes to the international inspection and the comprehensive safeguards system. The Arab leaders also called for making the Middle East free from the weapons of mass destruction. - Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/international/1395298162575.html