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PUIC Highlights Palestinian Cause in Final Communique

PUIC Highlights Palestinian Cause in Final Communique
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PUIC Highlights Palestinian Cause in Final Communique

PUIC Highlights Palestinian Cause in Final Communique

The 14th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Member States (PUIC) conference taking place in Rabat, Morocco, stressed that the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem remains central to the body’s member states.

Other that Iran’s non-participation, Jordan criticized Morocco’s Habib El Malki, chair of the 14th edition of the PUIC, for not inviting Syria to the meeting.

Differences on the wording of the final communique among participating member states were prevalent, Lebanese lawmaker Qasim Abou Hashim told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Among the topics drawing hot debate between PUIC members was the humanitarian situation in Syria.

However, according to Hashim, it was finally agreed not to raise controversial issues.

At the session, Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh, chairman of the Saudi Shura Council, renewed his country's support for efforts on reaching a political solution in war-torn Yemen, so long it is aligned with the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism, the outcomes of national dialogue, Security Council Resolution 2216 and relevant international resolutions.

Speaking on the Palestinian cause, ash-Sheikh stressed that it remained at the forefront of the Kingdom's concerns, recalling its firm position towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 demarcated borders, with East Jerusalem as a capital.

As for the fight against terrorism, the Saudi official called for intensive efforts to tackle all forms of terrorism and its linked organizations. He pointed out that Saudi Arabia has led massive international efforts to fight terrorism in all levels.

The PUIC’s final communique stressed that counterterrorism is the responsibility of all sovereign states, condemning the use of violence and extremism.  

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Fishers at a Lebanese Port Hope Ceasefire with Israel Means Normal Life is Returning

Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)
Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)
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Fishers at a Lebanese Port Hope Ceasefire with Israel Means Normal Life is Returning

Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)
Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah brought hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon on Friday, including fishermen who have long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn.
During the last two months of its year fighting Hezbollah, Israel imposed a siege on southern Lebanon that kept hundreds of fishers at this ancient Phoenician port on shore, upending their lives and the industry.
While less important than destruction and displacement, the port siege cut many people off from the key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes like sayadiyeh — fish and rice boiled in fish sauce — or fried and grilled fish eaten with dips such as hummus and tabbouleh or fattoush salads.
The loss of fish damaged a deep association with home, but now the possibility of renewed Lebanese fishing on the country's southern coast is helping fuel hope for a brighter future.
On Friday, a few boats went out close to the shore as fishers in the port worked on the nets of small boats painted white, blue or red.
Hussein Sukmani, 55, said Friday that he was considering going to sea in coming days but was waiting to see how things unfold.
He hasn't dared set sail since the Israel-Hezbollah war dramatically intensified on Sept. 23. “They were days of fear and horror,” he said. "They were the most difficult days of our lives.”
A week ago, a drone strike killed two young fishers in the city as they prepared their nets on the coast, and some fishermen said Friday that the Lebanese army told them that if they headed out it would be at their own risk .
Among those who sailed near the coast on Friday was Walid Darwish, who returned to the port with two plastic boxes filled with mullet.
“Today is the first time that we sail,” Darwish said, adding that fishers had missed the prime season in October and November.
“We lost it,” he said.
The Israeli army barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the border in October and has not said whether the warning is still in effect.
Sukmani said that most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the port have not sailed out of concern since then.
The area around the port is a predominantly Christian neighborhood that has been spared much of the airstrikes on other parts of Tyre that leveled buildings in this city.
In peaceful times, the port is a major tourist attraction, beloved by Lebanese and foreigners who come for the views, the restaurants and the beaches.
On Friday, Mohammed Hammoud walked along the coast of Tyre carrying his fishing rod.
“It is enough that someone is able to stand in this beautiful area,” he said, pointing to the white sands. “Fishing is everything for me,” added Hammoud, who went to fish several times in the area north of the city of Sidon that was not part of the siege.
In the old market of Tyre, Gilbert Spiridon watched from inside his shop as people came to buy freshly brought fish. Before the war, it took hours to sell all his fish to people from around Lebanon.
“All I wish is that the war has ended and we are back on track to the old good days,” he said.