Roundup: At AL summit, Arab leaders discuss security, terrorism, economic issues

Arab leaders started Saturday a two-day meeting in Egypt to discuss security and economic challenges, and the latest developments in some Arab countries that are going through crises, like Yemen.

The crisis in Yemen topped the agenda of the 26th Arab League meeting which kicked off earlier in the day in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

In their speeches at the opening session, the Arab leaders reaffirmed that a military action in Yemen was "inevitable" to protect the country's sovereignty after the Shiite Houthi group seized parts of it, including the capital Sanaa.

Addressing the delegates, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi called a military action in Yemen inevitable after interference by a "foreign power." Sisi did not name that power, but apparently he was referring to Iran.

Sisi, who chairs this year's meeting, said Arabs have the right to deter any hostile actions against any Arab country, referring to a recent Arab military operation led by Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, who have forced Yemen's President Abd Rabbou Mansour Hadi to flee the country.

Before the launch of the summit, Sisi held a tripartite meeting with Saudi King Salman bin Abdel-Aziz and Yemeni President Hadi, the state TV reported.

For his part, Hadi urged the Arab states to continue their military operation against the Houthi group until it is fully defeated.

Addressing the summit, Hadi urged the Saudi-led coalition forces which have been pounding the Houthi group to go on with their airstrikes until its surrender and defeat.

Yemen has been gripped by widespread violence in the southern region since early February, raising fears that the impoverished country is slipping into a civil war.

Meanwhile, Saudi King Salman bin Abdel-Aziz vowed that the military operation will not stop until Yemen becomes stable and safe.

He also highlighted full support for Yemeni President Hadi and his legitimate government.

Speaking to the Summit, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his support for the Saudi-led operation in Yemen and for President Hadi as the legitimate leader.

"I take note that military action has been undertaken at the request of Yemen's sovereign and legitimate leader, President Hadi," said Ban.

ANTI-TERROR FORCE

Sisi told the delegates that his country welcomes the formation of an Arab united military force to protect the Arab national security.

"Egypt welcomes the draft resolution submitted by the Arab foreign ministers to the summit regarding the formation of a joint Arab force to be a tool to face the challenges facing the Arab national security," Sisi stressed.

"Terrorism represents the basic tool for ruining the entities of states," Sisi told the summit entitled "Challenges Facing Arab National Security," which is attended by 20 Arab monarchs and presidents.

A wave of radical Islam terrorism, led by Islamic State (IS) group, has spread in many Arab countries including Libya, Iraq and Syria, where extremist Islamic militias have full control over large territories.

Addressing delegates, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil El-Arabi said that Arab countries must take concrete steps and work on the joint Arab military force in order to combat terrorism and extremism.

He warned of the threats that terrorism pose to the national security in the region, stressing the necessity to challenge terrorism in the region.

OTHER ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED

The Summit will also tackle other economic, social and environmental topics. The Palestinian cause, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Palestinian resistance and the activation of Arab peace initiative are among the topics to be discussed during the closed sessions of the Summit.

Developing the Arab League and amending its Charter in addition to deciding on a host for the next summit is also a subject to be discussed.

Arab leaders will also will also discuss the Iranian occupation in 1971 of three Emirati islands, the Islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.

The heads of states will also review all draft resolutions submitted by the Economic and Social Councils, including the recommendation to establish an Arab free trade zone. Endit