29-06-2025
Palestinian cause remains central issue for Arabs
CAIRO: The Council of Oman participated in the fifth general session of the first session of the fourth legislative term of the Arab Parliament, held at the League of Arab States headquarters in Cairo, under the chairmanship of Mohammed bin Ahmed al Yamahi, Speaker of the Arab Parliament.
Opening the session, Al Yamahi in his speech appealed to the global conscience and international institutions, particularly the UN Security Council. 'Enough of the silence and double standards. The time has come for a global awakening of conscience to end this open massacre and restore to the Palestinian people their right to life, dignity and freedom,' he declared.
Al Yamahi expressed hope that achieving a permanent ceasefire between Iran and the occupying entity would mark a return to regional calm and stability and refocus global attention, in an ethical and responsible manner, on the suffering of the Palestinian people. He reaffirmed that the Palestinian cause remains the central issue for the Arab Parliament, describing it as a cornerstone of security and stability in the region and beyond.
During the session, MP Saad al Otaibi, nominated by the Saudi Shura Council, was elected as the First Deputy Speaker of the Arab Parliament to fill a vacant position.
Members also reviewed reports from several standing committees, including those on Foreign Affairs, Political and National Security Affairs, Economic and Financial Affairs, Legislative and Human Rights Affairs, and Social, Educational, Cultural, Women and Youth Affairs, as well as the Palestine Committee.
The plenary and committee meetings covered a wide range of pressing topics, such as the situation in the Palestinian territories, regional political and economic developments, legal and human rights issues and social and cultural matters. Discussions also included an Arab vision for strengthening parliamentary and preventive diplomacy, preparations for a conference to support the blue economy in the Arab world, a draft law to combat illegal immigration, a guiding document on empowering social entrepreneurship and productive families, and a vision for advancing e-learning in the region.
The Council of Oman had previously taken part in meetings of the Arab Parliament's standing committees and attended a training seminar titled 'Parliaments and Artificial Intelligence: Applications and Practical Challenges,' held on the sidelines of the main sessions.
The Omani delegation to the Arab Parliament included Shaikh Said bin Hamad al Saadi, Deputy Chairman of Majlis Ash'shura and Deputy of the Arab Parliament; Shaikh Dr Talib bin Hilal al Hosni, Member of the Majlis Ash'shura; and Hamid bin Ali al Nasseri, Member of the Majlis Ash'shura. — ONA
