ABU DHABI // Members of the Federal National Council will be attending the next Arab Parliament session in Amman, Jordan, on Saturday, ahead of a meeting with the country’s King Abdullah.
Talks with the king are aimed at discussing the development of the parliament and to gain his recommendations.
On the agenda at the parliament session are Syrian refugees’ living conditions and Palestine’s right to land, said head of the Arab Parliament, Ahmed Al Jarwan, who is an FNC member from Sharjah.
“Our most important cause is to support the Syrian refugees. The parliament will visit Zaatari refugee camp and the Emirates camp to shed light on the harsh circumstances the refugees are living in, especially the weather at the moment,” he said.
“We are also supporting the Palestinians and wish to confirm Jerusalem’s Arab identity.”
Accompanying Mr Al Jarwan on the trip are FNC members Salim bin Huwaiden (Sharjah), Musabeh Al Ketbi (Sharjah) and Shaikha Al Ari (Umm Al Quwain).
Ms Al Ari hopes the parliament will in future be able hold its sessions in many Arab countries. This is the first year it has had a meeting outwith its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
She believes involving Arab states in various topics and discussions will help the parliament continue its good work.
“This is the Arab Parliament, we want all Arab countries to be involved and to make them feel they are a part of it,” she said. “We, as Emiratis, and holding the parliament’s presidency, must give a good and effective image to the others.”
Mr Al Jarwan will be leading his first session after completing a year as the elected speaker for the parliament, receiving 43 votes in the parliament’s first session last December.
The session will run until December 20.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae