March
29, 2015
Final
Communique
of the
26th
Summit of the League of Arab States
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
9
Jumada II, 1436
The
Arab leaders have agreed in principle to form a joint military force to address
growing Arab challenges and threats. The resolution came following two-day
meetings that focused on Yemen, Libya, Syria and terrorism.
Under
the resolution, it is up to each Arab country to join the joint military force,
which will be mainly tasked with swift military intervention in case an Arab
League member state comes under threats, including terrorist ones. Arab leaders
asked Secretary-General of the Arab League Nabil Al-Araby to meet with
Arab chiefs of staff within one month to discuss the details of the joint force.
The
Arab leaders have re-affirmed unwavering support for the United Arab Emirate’s
full sovereignty on the three Gulf islands; Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb
and Abu Musa.
The
Arab leaders declared backing for all measures and peaceful means Abu Dhabi
may resort to restore its sovereignty on the three occupied islands.
The
Arab leaders condemned Iran's action aimed at bolstering its occupation of the
three islands, its recurring breaches of the memorandum of understanding, signed
by the two countries on Abu Musa, on November 20, 1971. Iran has taken
provocative actions aimed at altering the island's demographic status, through
construction of housing units and settling non-natives on it, in addition
to illegitimate construction of installations as well as carrying out military
maneuvers and drills.
The
final communiqué clarified that the Iranians have been building hospitals and
facilities for economic, cultural, social, sports and religious purposes. Moreover,
the island often witnesses visits by Iranian officials. Such acts constitute
blatant breaches of the UAE sovereignty on the three islands; they are
illegal and do not erase the fact that the UAE enjoys sovereignty on the three
islands.
The
Arab leaders urged Iran to respect the UAE sovereignty on the islands, halt
such violations and provocative acts that constitute intervention in internal
affairs of an independent and sovereignty state. Moreover, it urged Tehran
to abstain from enforcing a de facto situation and halt building installations,
with intention to change the demographic status on the islands.
Furthermore,
the summiteers urged the government in Tehran to accept direct negotiations
with Abu Dhabi or resort to the International Court of Justice to seek a
peaceful settlement to the issue on basis of international laws and rules.
The
Arab leaders have reaffirmed full support to the Operation Decisive Storm in support
of legitimacy in Yemen. They empathized that the operation was based
on the Arab Treaty of Joint Defense, the Arab League Charter and Article
51 of the UN Charter, as well as the responsibilities of maintaining the national
unity, sovereignty and independence of the Arab states.
The
Arab leaders expressed hope that the compelling military measures would restore
security and stability to all Yemen under constitutional legitimacy, countering
Houthis' attempts supported by external parties. These external parties
aim to threaten security of Yemen, the region and the Arab national security,
as well as the international peace and security through sequestration of the
Yemeni will, arousing seditions and dismantling the country's social fabric
and national unity.
The
Arab leaders urged the Houthi militias to immediately withdraw from the capital
Sana'a, other towns, and the government institutions as well as normalizing
the security situation in Sana'a and other governorates, besides returning
the heavy and medium weaponry to the constitutional legitimate authorities.
The
Arab leaders reiterated the full commitment to Yemen's unity, and respect of its
sovereignty and independence, rejecting all forms of intervention in its internal
affairs. They voiced support to the Yemeni people and their expectations
for freedom, democracy and social justice, as well as enabling them to
achieve comprehensive development.
The
Arab leaders underlined the importance of urgently responding to Yemen President
Abdrabu Mansur Hadi’s call for a conference on Yemen to be held in the Saudi
capital of Riyadh under the umbrella of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
All Yemeni powers and parties keen on the country's security and stability
are supposed to come together for a national dialogue. Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud was commended for
welcoming to host the conference in Riyadh.
The
Arab leaders welcomed a UN Security Council statement, adopted on 22 March
2015, demanding the Houthis and their allies to stop their aggressions against
the Yemeni governorates, especially on Ta'iz and Aden. The Arab leaders
welcomed the request by the Yemeni President for safeguarding Yemen's
constitutional legitimacy, and eagerness on the implementation of the GCC
Initiative, and the Security Council relevant resolutions.
They
underlined support to the Yemeni leadership and people in their continuous
and open war against terrorism and piracy and emphasized the necessity
of making urgent arrangements to handle the deteriorating humanitarian
situation in Yemen, where more than 16 million people are suffering
severe shortage of food and medical care.
