CAIRO: Kuwait's Foreign Minister Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah participates in the 153th session of the Council of the Arab League at the ministerial level in Cairo. - KUNA photos

CAIRO: Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah attended yesterday the 153th session of the Council of the Arab League at the ministerial level in Cairo. During the meeting, a number of issues pertaining to Arab cooperation and issues of regional importance were discussed. Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Ambassador Fahad Al-Awadhi, Kuwait's Permanent Representative at the Arab League Counselor Ahmad Al-Baker and several senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, a senior Omani official called on Arab states to "restructure joint Arab action" and seek to restore confidence with regional and international powers. The Arab League council should examine "our current conditions," said Oman's official in charge of foreign affairs Yousef bin Alawi, in a statement he made as he chaired the session. Contrary to aspirations, conditions prevailing in the Arab world are characterized with dissensions and conflicts, he said.

On the Middle East question, bin Alawi said Israel has no option other than being engaged in serious negotiations with the Palestinians. For its part, the international community should shoulder "the historic responsibility and act to end this strife by means of attaining justice." The Sultanate of Oman, under leadership of Sultan Haitham al-Saeed, adamantly remains committed to backing the Arab League and cooperating with all Arab states to attain the league objectives and achieve inter-Arab integration, the Omani official noted further.

Meanwhile, the session's chair, Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Al-Hakim affirmed his country's keenness on backing all initiatives for resolving the conflicts in Libya, Syria and Yemen. These countries must restore their normal roles within framework of the Arab order, said Al-Hakim, addressing the session.

In other news, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad met yesterday with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Al-Safadi, on the sidelines of the session. Both ministers underlined the depth of fraternal firm and close relations between both countries and discussed the latest regional and international developments. Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad had also met on Tuesday with Omani Foreign Minister Yousef bin Alawi and Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr Abdulatif Al-Zayani.

Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad had arrived in Egypt earlier on Tuesday to head the Kuwaiti delegation in 153 Arab League ministerial council meetings. The Kuwaiti delegation includes Foreign Minister Assistant Ambassador Ahmad Al-Awadhi. After arrival, the minister held a coordination meeting with Awadhi, Baker and senior figures from the Kuwaiti delegation, in preparation for the meeting.

Upon arrival, the Foreign Minister was received by Baker as well as Kuwait Ambassador to Egypt Saleh Al-Thuwikh. The minister also attended a dinner banquet in honor of his visit to Cairo, hosted by Kuwait's Permanent Member in the Arab League. Awadhi and the Kuwaiti delegation also attended the dinner ceremony. - KUNA