Politics
22:05, 15-Apr-2018
Saudi king announces a 150 million-US dollar donation for East Jerusalem
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The 29th Arab League (AL) summit kicked off in Saudi Arabia's eastern city of Dhahran on Sunday, with leaders from 22 member states in attendance.
The summit will focus on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Syrian crisis - especially now, after an alleged chemical attack and the US-led airstrikes - and Yemen's civil war, as well as the fight against terrorism.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and Chairman of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini are also participating in the one-day summit.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud referred to the Palestinian issue as the top agenda of the Arab meeting.
King Abdullah II of Jordan attends the 29th Summit of the Arab League at the Ithra center in Dhahran, Eastern Saudi Arabia, on April 15, 2018. /VCG Photo
King Abdullah II of Jordan attends the 29th Summit of the Arab League at the Ithra center in Dhahran, Eastern Saudi Arabia, on April 15, 2018. /VCG Photo
"The Palestinian case is our priority and will remain so until all the Palestinians gain their rights," he said, stressing that East Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman also announced on Sunday a 150 million-US dollar (120 million euro) donation for the maintenance of Islamic heritage in East Jerusalem. "Saudi Arabia announces a 150 million-US dollar grant to support the administration of Jerusalem's Islamic property," the king said.
He also denounced Iran's interference in other states' internal affairs by committing "terror acts," calling for the unity of the Arab world against it.
AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit noted that the crises gripping the Middle East will further deteriorate and weaken the entire region if not harnessed.
He believed there has been a huge setback in the process of solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after US President Donald Trump's announcement.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz attends the 28th Summit of the Arab League at the Ithra center in Dhahran, Eastern Saudi Arabia, on April 15, 2018. /VCG Photo
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz attends the 28th Summit of the Arab League at the Ithra center in Dhahran, Eastern Saudi Arabia, on April 15, 2018. /VCG Photo
On Dec. 6, 2017, Trump announced his official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and instructed the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the disputed holy city, which promptly triggered fury and condemnation throughout the Arab world.
The situation has become even worse since March 30, the beginning of the six-week "Great March of Return" rally by Palestinians, when 32 Palestinians were killed and more than 3,000 others injured by Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border areas.
"So it is important to support Palestinians and [Palestinian President] Abbas," Aboul-Gheit said.
The AL chief also slammed Iran for its support for the Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen, saying the Arab states should unite with Saudi Arabia against Iran.
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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency