ANKARA, May 18 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has urged Arab nations to adopt a unified plan to end Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, as leaders convened in Baghdad for the 34th Arab League Summit on Saturday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
Abbas called for an international conference in Cairo to fund and implement the reconstruction of Gaza, which he said has been rendered uninhabitable.
He also expressed readiness to hold presidential and legislative elections in 2025, once suitable conditions are in place across the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem.
The summit, hosted by Iraq for the first time since 2012, is being held against the backdrop of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 53,000 Palestinians since October 2023, according to Palestinian sources.
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid condemned what he described as "ongoing Israeli aggression" and rejected any attempts to displace Palestinians from Gaza under any pretext.
"Our shared Arab security cannot be fragmented," Rashid said, urging Arab states to cooperate in preserving regional stability.
Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani, speaking as outgoing chair of the 33rd summit, reaffirmed Bahrain’s support for Gaza’s reconstruction and the need to uphold ceasefire efforts.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called on United States (US) President Donald Trump to intensify pressure for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
He warned that without the creation of a Palestinian state, true regional stability would remain elusive --even if Israel secures further normalisation agreements.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, also attending the summit, said “Palestine is bleeding before our eyes,” and announced a joint initiative with Palestine at the United Nations (UN) to push for the lifting of the Gaza blockade.
Sanchez proposed four urgent priorities; ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, increasing pressure to halt the violence, advancing a political solution, and enhancing European-Arab-Islamic dialogue.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani proposed the creation of an Arab fund to support recovery efforts in conflict-affected countries.
Iraq pledged US$20 million for Gaza’s reconstruction and another US$20 million for Lebanon.
On Syria, Sudani reaffirmed support for the country’s unity and political transition, and welcomed the recent US decision to lift sanctions, expressing hope it would ease the Syrian people’s suffering.
Other leaders attending the summit include the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Jordanian Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan is representing King Abdullah, while Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is attending on behalf of President Joseph Aoun.
Also present are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and representatives from international and regional organisations.
Arab foreign ministers had earlier approved the summit agenda, which includes five major issues and initiatives, with the Palestinian cause topping the list.
Discussions are also expected to address ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Sudan, Syria and Libya, as well as nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US.
-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU
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