Speaker chairs AIPU 33rd conference, stresses Bahrain's support to Arab issues

Cairo, May 21 (BNA): Representatives Council Speaker, President of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU), Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal, stressed Bahrain’s unflinching keenness to support the Arab nation’s just issues, particularly the Palestinian Cause, which is accentuated in most of the royal speeches of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. In her inaugural speech of AIPU’s 33rd conference, which kicked off today in the Egyptian capital Cairo, the Representatives Council Speaker affirmed keenness of the legislative branch to concretize the royal visions through parliamentary stances and efforts. She pointed out the formation of a permanent qualitative parliamentary committee to support the Palestinian people and deal with related issues. Themed “Al-Aqsa Mosque and All Muslim and Christian Sanctities are Our First Priority”, the 33rd conference of AIPU kick-started with large participation of the Arab member states. The Representatives Council Speaker offered most sincere condolences to the ruling family in the UAE, the Federal National Council Speaker Saqr Ghobash, and the UAE people over the passing of late Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. She prayed to Allah Almighty to rest his soul in vast paradise, wishing the UAE continuous growth and prosperity under the leadership of its President Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Representatives Council Speaker underlined the importance of activating the Arab Peace Initiative regarding the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in order to achieve comprehensive and just peace in the region and support the efforts to promote global peace and security. She underlined the need for a unified parliamentary stance supporting the Palestinian cause and reiterating rejection of the violations and repetitive provocation by the Israeli authorities. The Representatives Council Speaker pointed out the importance of holding the conference amid exceptional circumstances and major challenges aimed at undermining the stability of the Arab countries and jeopardising their interests. She also affirmed denunciation of the killing of Palestinian reporter Shireen Abu Akleh near Jenin Camp while on duty. She described the crime as a violation of the principles of humanitarian international law and a blatant transgression of the media and press freedom.