The Arab League council adopted on Friday a Saudi-Egyptian initiative on the “joint vision for security and cooperation in the region”.
Cairo had prepared the initiative as part of a framework for “future arrangements.”
The Arab League foreign ministers had met on Thursday for a regular session. The initiative took up the majority of discussions, said Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting, he said the initiative was “significant” and it condemned any proposal that threatens the sovereignty and unity of Arab countries.
It stresses the need to end the Israeli occupation of Arab territories.
Egypt hailed the Arab League for adopting the initiative, saying it was an embodiment of the organization’s determination and Arab consensus to come up with common visions for regional security and cooperation based on international laws and that takes into consideration the circumstances in the region.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that “there can be tolerating any party imposing hegemony or unilateral security arrangements that undermine the stability of the region.”
It underlined the need to respect the sovereignty and unity of other countries and non-interference in their internal affairs.
The initiative underscores “the right of Arab countries to come up with ruling principles for regional arrangements,” it said.
It also consolidates the right of Arab countries to propose and impose their will and vision to build a security and cooperation system built on mutual respect, good neighborliness, respect to international laws and resolving disputes through peaceful means.
Ending the Israeli occupation is the first step towards establishing fair and sustainable peace in the region, said the ministry.
The adoption of the initiative reflects Arab responsibility towards bolstering security and cooperation, it added.
It said that it was committed to working with other Arab countries and international partners to translate the initiative into tangible steps that boost regional security and revive efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue.
Saudi permanent envoy to the Arab League Ambassador Abdulaziz al-Matar said the initiative was a “step forward.”
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that it was a product of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Hussein Al-Haridi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the initiative was a result of President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's latest visit to Saudi Arabia.
He underlined the ongoing coordination between Saudi Arabia and Egypt to handle security threats.
