Speech of Sayyid Asaad to the Arab Summit in Bahrain
The following is an edited text of a speech delivered by His Highness Sayyid Asaad at the opening of the 33rd regular Arab Summit, which was held today in Manama, the Kingdom of Bahrain:
“Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, Your Excellency, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Esteemed Guests, Honourable audience,
“I am honoured to convey to you all the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, along with His Majesty’s sincere wishes of success for this blessed gathering. We deeply appreciate the warm reception and hospitality accorded to us. We also value the good preparation for this summit under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
“We would also like to voice our appreciation for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its constructive efforts in securing the success of the previous Arab Summit, under the prudent leadership of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“This summit is being convened in exceptional circumstances, at a time the Arab nation is in great need of empowerment to ensure its security, safeguard its geopolitical milieu and to secure its status amid challenges and complications that we cannot overcome individually, but only when acting collectively, even at a minimum level of accord, alliance, collaboration and cooperation, based on a shared strategy and economic capabilities, so that this nation could become capable of confronting a world laden with ambitions, aspirations and objectives.
“The historic injustice inflicted on the Palestinian people compels us all to take a stronger, more impactful and a more efficient Arab position that guarantees to the Palestinian people their right to self-determination and their aspiration to a comprehensive global recognition of the Palestinian State. It has to be a stand that applies the highly-desired, long overdue Two-State Solution, in accordance with the United Nations resolution, the Arab Peace Initiative and rules of international law. Without that, our region will never enjoy the lasting peace or sustainable prosperity anticipated by the people of the region and the world at large.
“In the meantime, within the context of our historic and ethical responsibility, we exhort the international community to undertake immediate action in this respect and to engage in serious enforcement of the criteria of international law, to uphold and realise justice for the Palestinian people and bring about security and stability for all.
“We would like to affirm the significance of respecting the policy of good neighbourliness, the sovereignty of states over their territories and non-interference in their internal affairs, as well as respect for peoples’ rights—notably the right to co-exist in dignity and independence.
“As long as we aspire for justice, we are confident that we will never be let down, God willing.
“We pray to Allah the Almighty to guide us all to what He loves and approves, for He is the best lord and the best supporter.
“Peace be upon you.”