Highlights of Saudi Crown Prince presidential speech at 32nd Arab League summit

Jeddah, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman has reaffirmed the Arab resolve not to allow the region to descend into a zone of conflict.

“We assure friendly countries in the East and the West that we are moving forward in peace. We will not allow our region to turn into a zone of conflict,” the Crown Prince said while opening the 32nd Arab League summit. Saudi Arabia assumed the presidency of the 22-member bloc in Jeddah Friday afternoon.

In his presidential speech, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that the Arab region is fed up with conflicts. “It is enough for us, with turning the page of the past, to remember the painful years of conflicts that the region lived through. It is enough for us to have conflicts that the peoples of the region suffered from and because of which development was faltered in the region,” he said.

Prince Mohammed highlighted the untapped potential of the Arab world, saying that the Arab states enjoy enough cultural capabilities and human and natural resources to assume a leading position and achieve prosperity in all fields.

The Crown Prince welcomed Syrian President Al-Assad back into the Arab fold, saying: “We hope that Syria’s return to the Arab League will be an end to its crisis.”

Al-Assad is attending the summit for the first time in 12 years. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is the guest of honor at the summit.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized that the Palestinian cause was and still is the pivotal issue of the Arabs.

He also expressed hope that the language of dialogue would be the basis for the resolution of the crisis in Sudan. “Saudi Arabia is welcoming the signing of the Jeddah Declaration by the two parties involved in the conflict in Sudan,” he said while expressing hope that the Jeddah talks would bring about an effective ceasefire in Sudan.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed the importance of resolving the crisis in Ukraine peacefully.

“We reaffirm the Kingdom’s position supportive to everything that contributes to reducing the intensity of the crisis in Ukraine, and not to allow further worsening of the humanitarian situation there. Saudi Arabia is ready to continue mediation efforts between the Russian Federation and Ukraine,” he said.