THE DEAD SEA, Jordan: Topics leading the agenda in King Abdallah’s meeting with Trump will include the Palestinian issue and Arab counterterrorism efforts, Jordan’s Minister for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammed Momani said Sunday.
The minister said that the Arabs are at the forefront of combating terrorism and countering the extremist ideologies.
He was speaking at a press conference at the shores of the Dead Sea in Jordan, where the Arab Summit is being held.
“Terrorism has social, ideological, security and social aspects that reflect on the local societies and combating this epidemic has to be addressed in the same manner,” the minister said.
He added that many of the challenges facing the Arab region result from the spread of this extreme ideology among youth.
On the Palestinian issue, Momani said any efforts must lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. He added that Arabs are seeking a just and peaceful solution to the decades-long conflict with Israel, based on the relevant UN Security Council resolution and the Arab Peace Initiative.
“Lack of a just resolution to the Palestinian cause creates a fertile soil for extremism. We call on Israel to listen to the voice of reason and comply with the international legitimacy and engage in the constructive peace talks reaching to the just and fair settlement that guarantees the restoration of the Palestinian rights,” he said.
With regards to Yemen, the minister said the Arab Summit supports the legitimate Yemeni government and condemns all Iranian intervention in internal Arab affairs.
“The Yemeni people have been suffering from the repercussions of the Iranian meddling in the Yemeni affairs including their support to the Houthi militias,” the minister said.
“This has to stop in order to pave the way for a political settlement between all Yemeni parties based on the relevant UN resolution, the GCC initiative and the outcomes of the Yemeni dialogue.”
He added that the Arab states call on Iran to end its occupation of the three UAE islands in the Arabian Gulf, and comply with the will of the international community if it wants to enjoy positive relations with the region.
King Abdallah to depart for US days after Arab Summit
King Abdallah to depart for US days after Arab Summit
The art of war: fears for masterpieces on loan to Louvre Abu Dhabi
- UAE paid more than €1 billion to borrow priceless works, but experts in France want them back
PARIS: The Middle East war has raised fears for the safety of priceless masterpieces on loan from France to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the museum’s only foreign branch.
The Abu Dhabi museum, which opened in 2017, has so far escaped damage from nearly 1,800 Iranian drone and missile strikes launched since the conflict erupted on Feb. 28.
However, concerns are mounting in France. “The works must be removed,” said Didier Selles, who helped broker the original agreement between France and the UAE.
French journal La Tribune de l’Art echoed that alarm. “The Louvre’s works in Abu Dhabi must be secured!” it said.
France’s culture ministry said French authorities were “in close and regular contact with the authorities of the UAE to ensure the protection of the works loaned by France.”
Under the agreement with the UAE, France agreed to provide expertise, lend works of art and organize exhibitions, in return for €1 billion, including €400 million for licensing the use of the Louvre name. The deal was extended in 2021 to 2047 for an additional €165 million.
Works on loan include paintings by Rembrandt and Chardin, Classical statues of Isis, Roman sarcophagi and Islamic masterpieces: such as the Pyxis of Al-Mughira.
A Louvre Abu Dhabi source said the museum was designed to protect collections from both security threats and natural disasters.
