Speaking at the 18th conference of the Arab Inter-parliamentary Union (AIPU), which began in Kuwait yesterday, Shoura Council Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh voiced Saudi Arabia's vehement condemnation of the ongoing violence in Syria.

The event kicked off in the presence of Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with representatives from 18 Arab parliaments.

Al-Asheikh said the decision taken in Doha for national reconciliation among the Palestinian movements is a welcome sign and hoped it would put an end to disharmony among Palestinians and push them to work for a common goal. “Such unity among the Palestinians will enable them to overcome the challenges faced by Zionist factions.”

In February this year, Palestinian movements Hamas and Fatah took a major step toward achieving national reconciliation and establishing a transitional government. Based on the agreement between the acting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the head of Hamas Politbureau Khaled Meshaal, the former is going to preside over the interim government.

Members of the government will be elected by individuals who do not belong to these two Palestinian groups. The government is tasked with holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously in the territories that have been occupied by Israel since 1967.

The Shoura chairman pointed out Arab and Islamic nations are currently confronting both internal and external challenges such the global financial crisis, problems in energy, unemployment and quality of education, the need to establish a healthy environment and provide employment opportunities for the people. “These challenges compel us to take bold decisions to overcome these problems,” Al-Asheikh said.

Stressing the importance of the conference, Al-Asheikh said the discussions that will take place at the two-day summit would form a solid base for effective communication, dialogue and coordination.

Referring to the recent G20 Speakers' Consultation Meeting held in Riyadh, Al-Asheikh said the Kingdom was the only Arab state among the G20 countries. He pledged Saudi Arabia would remain the voice of Arab and Islamic nations at all such international forums.

Al-Asheikh also congratulated new Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Ahmed Abdul Aziz Al-Sadoun on his victory at the recent parliamentary elections.

The opening session included speeches from Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union Secretary General Noureddine Bou Kachouj and President Mohammad Mubarak Al-Khalifa, interim Arab Parliament Speaker Ali Al-Deqbasi, Inter-Parliamentary Union chief Abdelwahad Al-Radi and Kuwait National Assembly Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun.

Although the Arab Spring movement began last year its effects are still lingering, Kachouj said in his speech.

Referring to the situation in Syria, he said it has left many civilians dead or stranded without food or fuel for months, a drastic situation that might lead to a civil war if it is not resolved. On the other hand, he said the Palestinian front is always in a constant clash with unjust Israeli policies.

Arab countries are at a dangerous crossroads because regimes are incapable of fixing their problems, they lack Arab solidarity and face imminent challenges with terrorism, Kachouj pointed out.