10 October 2010
Sirte - Libyan Leader Muammar al-Gaddafi said, ''The fact that the Afro-Arab Summit was not held since 1977 does not mean that there is a rupture between the Arabs and the Africans. There have been numerous activities on all levels to strengthen ties through mutual agreements, projects and visits''.
In his address on Sunday during the inaugural session of the 2nd Afro-Arab Summit held in the Libyan City of Sirte, Al-Gaddafi considered that geographical and demographic ties binding the Arabs and Africans make it imperative for them to meet, given that these ties are stronger than the ties among countries on both sides of the Pacific or the Atlantic. Al-Gaddafi added that the Afro-Arab cooperation is able to confront challenges collectively, calling for continuing mutual meetings between the Arabs and the Africans as to create an Afro-Arab space. For his part, Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said the Arab and African worlds, in view of the historical ties, heritage and aspirations of the region's people for a better future, are called upon to strengthen relations, openness and communications and establishing strategic partnership that opens wider prospects for cooperation.
He added that the stability, security and development of Africa is part of the Arab region's security, stability and development, stressing commitment to establishing a genuine partnership in all political, economic and cultural spheres, given that this partnership is a strategic dimension for confronting future challenges. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called for activating the partnership between the two regions under the umbrella of the African Union (AU) and the Arab League (AL) to achieve the priority of the Afro-Arab cooperation. Mubarak pointed out that the Palestinian Issue was and still the living example of Arab-African solidarity since Africa has and is still supporting the stances and rights of the Arabs and the Palestinians and backing the Palestinian People, their just cause and legitimate rights including getting red of occupation and establishing an independent state with Jerusalem as capital.
President of Gabon, Ali Bongo, pointed out to the common interest and desire of the Arab and African worlds to establish a strong partnership which could be up to the level of the historic ties.
He referred to Africa's constant and continuous solidarity with the Palestinian people and its support to the stances taken by the Arab presidents toward the Palestinian cause. Chadian President Idriss Deby expressed satisfaction over the understanding that distinguishes the Arab-African cooperation, particularly in the political side, pointing out to the support Africa is providing to the Palestinian cause and people in order to gain independence in addition to the concerted efforts to support Sudan.
He pointed out that the history and the destiny of the Arab and African regions are identical, calling for exerting efforts to confront the challenges and transforming this historic cooperation into a power in addition to creating a suitable environment for investment in the framework of the mutual partnership.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission Jean Ping noted that political and diplomatic cooperation between Arab and African countries has made progress during the last three decades in spite of some weaknesses in other cooperation fields. He said that Africa has been supported by its Arab partners during its struggle against occupation and apartheid. Africa also offered strong support to the Palestinian people to restore their rights.
The Arab League Secretary-General Amre Moussa said the joint Arab-African action policy solved essential problems that affect the interests of the two sides, pointing out that the past years experience in Sudan, Somalia, Mauritania, the Indian Ocean, Comoros and the Palestinian issue underscored the effectiveness of mutual understanding and firm cooperation. Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade said in a speech on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) that "what combine the Arab and African worlds are multi-sided political and cultural relations and joint struggle for `liberation from occupation and foreign hegemony".
Sirte - Libyan Leader Muammar al-Gaddafi said, ''The fact that the Afro-Arab Summit was not held since 1977 does not mean that there is a rupture between the Arabs and the Africans. There have been numerous activities on all levels to strengthen ties through mutual agreements, projects and visits''.
In his address on Sunday during the inaugural session of the 2nd Afro-Arab Summit held in the Libyan City of Sirte, Al-Gaddafi considered that geographical and demographic ties binding the Arabs and Africans make it imperative for them to meet, given that these ties are stronger than the ties among countries on both sides of the Pacific or the Atlantic. Al-Gaddafi added that the Afro-Arab cooperation is able to confront challenges collectively, calling for continuing mutual meetings between the Arabs and the Africans as to create an Afro-Arab space. For his part, Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said the Arab and African worlds, in view of the historical ties, heritage and aspirations of the region's people for a better future, are called upon to strengthen relations, openness and communications and establishing strategic partnership that opens wider prospects for cooperation.
He added that the stability, security and development of Africa is part of the Arab region's security, stability and development, stressing commitment to establishing a genuine partnership in all political, economic and cultural spheres, given that this partnership is a strategic dimension for confronting future challenges. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called for activating the partnership between the two regions under the umbrella of the African Union (AU) and the Arab League (AL) to achieve the priority of the Afro-Arab cooperation. Mubarak pointed out that the Palestinian Issue was and still the living example of Arab-African solidarity since Africa has and is still supporting the stances and rights of the Arabs and the Palestinians and backing the Palestinian People, their just cause and legitimate rights including getting red of occupation and establishing an independent state with Jerusalem as capital.
President of Gabon, Ali Bongo, pointed out to the common interest and desire of the Arab and African worlds to establish a strong partnership which could be up to the level of the historic ties.
He referred to Africa's constant and continuous solidarity with the Palestinian people and its support to the stances taken by the Arab presidents toward the Palestinian cause. Chadian President Idriss Deby expressed satisfaction over the understanding that distinguishes the Arab-African cooperation, particularly in the political side, pointing out to the support Africa is providing to the Palestinian cause and people in order to gain independence in addition to the concerted efforts to support Sudan.
He pointed out that the history and the destiny of the Arab and African regions are identical, calling for exerting efforts to confront the challenges and transforming this historic cooperation into a power in addition to creating a suitable environment for investment in the framework of the mutual partnership.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission Jean Ping noted that political and diplomatic cooperation between Arab and African countries has made progress during the last three decades in spite of some weaknesses in other cooperation fields. He said that Africa has been supported by its Arab partners during its struggle against occupation and apartheid. Africa also offered strong support to the Palestinian people to restore their rights.
The Arab League Secretary-General Amre Moussa said the joint Arab-African action policy solved essential problems that affect the interests of the two sides, pointing out that the past years experience in Sudan, Somalia, Mauritania, the Indian Ocean, Comoros and the Palestinian issue underscored the effectiveness of mutual understanding and firm cooperation. Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade said in a speech on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) that "what combine the Arab and African worlds are multi-sided political and cultural relations and joint struggle for `liberation from occupation and foreign hegemony".
By M.Ismael /R.Milhem /F.Allafi / Ghossoun/ Zahra
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2010
