Day: May 19, 2023

President Bashar al-Assad Friday delivered Syria speech to the 32nd session of the Arab Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

President al-Assad said “We have to search about the big titles that pose threat to our future and produce our crises in order to not drown in addressing the results, not the reasons.”

President al-Assad said the headlines are too many for words, and summits are not enough… They do not begin with the crimes of the Zionist entity, which is rejected by the Arabs, and do not end with the danger of the Ottoman expansionist mentality and are inseparable from the challenge of development as a top priority for our developing societies, here comes the role of the League of Arab States as the natural platform for discussing various issues and addressing them.

“We are in front of a historic opportunity to rearrange our affairs with the least amount of foreign intervention,” the President said.

The President added that the joint Arab action is in need to common visions, strategies and targets.

President al-Assad hoped the Summit would be a starting point for the Arab action, solidarity among Arab states to achieve peace, prosperity and development in the region instead of war and destruction.

The President added that the cracks that have emerged over the last decade must be addressed, and the most important thing is to let the people manage their internal affairs and avoid external interference in their affair.

President al-Assad thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his highness crown prince Mohammad bin Salman for the great role of Saudi Arabia and its efforts to boost reconciliation in the Arab region and make this summit a success.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Russia attaches great attention to strengthen ties with countries of the Middle East and North Africa , including that within the framework of the dialogue with the League of Arab States (LAS), Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a message addressed to participants in the Arab Summit which is currently being held in Jeddeh.

“Russia traditionally attaches great importance to the development of friendly relations and constructive partnership with the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, including within the framework of the dialogue with the League of Arab States (LAS), in order to effectively counter the threats and challenges faced by contemporary humankind,” Putin said.

“We intend to continue supporting collective efforts for peace solution of acute regional problems, including crises in Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Syria, while invariably respecting the states’ sovereignty and the existing norms of international law,” he said.

He reiterated his country’s stance calling for implementing the UN resolutions regarding the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

He added that “Moscow believe that further expansion of multifaceted cooperation between Russia and the Arab countries fully meets our common interests in line with building a fairer and democratic system of international relations based on the principles of multipolarity, genuine equality and respect for each other’s legitimate interests.”

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

President Bashar al-Assad discussed Friday with Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, and developments in the Arab arena in light of the positive atmosphere in the inter -Arab relations that reflect a collective approach towards common visions that culminated at Jeddah summit.

President al-Assad appreciated the efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia to achieve Arab rapprochement and build a political atmosphere that helps joint action among Arab countries to pbtain the benefit of their people.

The President congratulated His Highness the Crown Prince on the success of Jeddah Summit, considering that it would contribute to more Arab cohesion.

President al-Assad and Prince Mohammed bin Salman praised the return of the usual relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia, which would contribute to the stability of the region and serve the joint Arab action.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The leaders, presidents and kings of the Arab countries stressed the importance of continuing and intensifying the Arab efforts aimed at helping Syria overcome the crisis in line with the common Arab interest and the fraternal relations that unite all the Arab peoples.

“Jeddah Declaration” was released at the conclusion of the 32nd session of the League of Arab States Council meeting at the summit level in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

The Palestinian cause is the central one for the Arabs

“We condemn in the strongest terms the violations and practices that threaten the lives and property of the Palestinians and their existence,” the declaration said.

The declaration stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to reach a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian cause and to reach a real prospect for achieving peace on the basis of the Two-State solution under international resolutions.

Intensify Arab efforts to help Syria overcome its crisis

The Declaration also welcomed the decision issued by the ministerial-level Arab League Council meeting, which included the resumption of the participation of Syrian government delegations in the meetings of the Council of the League and its affiliated organizations and agencies.

“We hope that this will contribute to supporting the stability of the Syrian Arab Republic, preserving its territorial integrity and resuming its normal role in the Arab world,” the Declaration said.

It stressed the importance of continuing and intensifying Arab efforts aimed at helping Syria overcome its crisis, taking into account the common Arab interest and the brotherly relations that unite all Arab peoples.

Sustainable development and security are inherent rights of the Arab citizen

On the other hand, the declaration affirmed sustainable development, security, stability and living in peace as inherent rights of the Arab citizen.

“This will only be achieved through concerted and integrated efforts,” the declaration added, underlining the commitment and pride in Arab values and culture based on dialogue, tolerance, openness and non-interference in the affairs of others. under no pretext.

The Declaration concluded “We appreciate the enthusiasm and interest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its efforts to ensure the right conditions for stability and economic growth in the region, especially with regard to sustainable development”.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

President Bashar al-Assad arrived in Damascus on Friday, returning from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following his participation in the Arab summit held in Jeddah.

His Excellency left King Abdulaziz International Airport and was seen off by Salman bin Hazza Al-Mutairi, Head of the Honorary Mission.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, is currently holding a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, in Jeddah.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Friday met on the sidelines of the Arab league summit, which is currently being held in Jeddah, with Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani. During the meeting, the Iraqi Prime Minister expressed his “love for Lebanon’, describing Iraq and Lebanon as ‘twins’. For his part, Mikati said, “Iraq has always extended its support for Lebanon, especially amid its dire circumstances,” thanking the Iraqi state for what it provides to Lebanon on a permanent basis. “The recent Iraqi initiative supplying oil to Lebanon represents a basic support at this stage for all the Lebanese and all the country’s productive sectors,’ Mikati added. “We also thank Iraq for facilitating the arrival of transit trucks, through Iraqi territory, to Gulf states,’ Mikati concluded, noting that a memorandum of understanding will soon be signed between Lebanon and Iraq.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Makary, on Friday welcomed a delegation representing the jury of ‘The Beautiful Era Festival Awards’. The delegation handed Makary an official invitation to attend the festival in its sixth edition, on June 3, 2023, at the Casino Du Liban. After the meeting, Minister Makary indicated that “Lebanon is rich in its energies and creativeness in all fields’ and that it ‘remained a symbol of beautiful art’. Makary also affirmed that since assuming his duties at the ministry of information, he has been striving to “improve all what could reflect a bright image of Lebanon and its history, including Tele Liban, in its capacity as a national media institution that chronicles Lebanon’s history and its beautiful era.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Al-Rahi, on Friday welcomed in Bkerki “National Dialogue” party leader, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, who said after the meeting, ‘Let the opposition reach an agreement over a presidential candidate’s name, and whoever gets 65 votes, will win and be congratulated!’ Patriarch Al-Rahi separately welcomed MP Ziad Al-Hawat, as well as Judge Arz Al-Alam and his son Fadi, who briefed the Maronite Patriarch on their vision regarding expanded administrative decentralization.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Rebirth Beirut is pleased to announce the opening of the highly anticipated solo exhibition, “Ghost Like”, featuring the remarkable works of Ouisam Melhem. The exhibition opening will take place on Tuesday May 23, 2023 from 6:00 PM till 9:00 PM and will remain open until May 29, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (except Sunday) at the association’s headquarters in Gemmayze. Curated by Dr. Tony Karam, “Ghost Like” promises to captivate art enthusiasts with its elegant, yet complex portrayal of stories on canvas. Ouisam Melhem’s distinctive artistic style seamlessly combines simplicity with depth, allowing viewers to delve into a world of emotions and narratives. President and Founder of Rebirth Beirut, Mr. Gaby Fernaine, expressed his excitement about the event, stating, “We are proud to present Ouisam Melhem’s ‘Ghost Like’ exhibition, which not only showcases his exceptional talent but also highlights our commitment to supporting the arts in Beirut. Through events like this, we hope to contribute to the cultural revitalization and healing of our beloved city.” Ouisam Melhem, a Lebanese painter and sculptor, is known for his unique ability to express narratives through five core elements: The Human, The City, The Crown, The Bird, and The Cloud. His artworks have garnered recognition both locally and internationally, earning him a place as a featured artist at the Peoria Riverfront Museum in the United States from November 30, 2021, to January 9, 2022. Notably, one of his art pieces has been officially accepted in the permanent collection of the museum.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon