UAE to lead Arab Parliament

Cairo, Dec 13, 2012 (WAM) - The UAE yesterday elected president of the Arab Parliament for a three-year term during the first session of the pan-Arab body here to serve a 3-year term. Ahmed Al Jarwan, member of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC), won 43 out 54 votes, beating candidates from Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen. In a brief statement after his win, Al Jarwan thanked all those who voted for him and pledged to advance the AP's mission and promote democracy. He stressed the need for all to work as one team to boost Arab joint action. As an official institution of the Arab League, the Cairo-based Arab Parliament (AP) seeks to give the citizens of the Arab world a voice alongside that of Arab governments and, in doing so, strengthen the democratic decision making process. - Emirates News Agency, WAM