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Arab Parliament Rejects JASTA, Calls for Holding U.S. Accountable for Crimes in the Region | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Arab Parliament (Emirates News Agency – WAM)


Cairo- The Arab Parliament on Tuesday rejected the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), recently endorsed by the United States Congress, stressing that the new law contravenes international law and principles.

In a meeting held in Sharm Al-Sheikh and chaired by Speaker Ahmed Al Jarwan, Arab Parliament members called for enacting a joint Arab-African law to hold the United States accountable for crimes perpetrated against Arab and African states.

In a statement issued at the outset of the session, the Arab Parliament urged the U.S. Congress to annul the new law, noting that JASTA would have negative repercussions on international relations.

Arab parliamentarians also discussed a number of political, legal, social and economic issues referred by the Arab Parliament’s four relevant committees.

During the opening speech, Jarwan noted that the Palestinian issue would remain the Arabs’ “pivotal cause,” and stressed the necessity that the Palestinian people must restore their internationally-acknowledged rights, and establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

He also reiterated the AP’s support to the Saudi-led coalition that is seeking to achieve security, stability and reconstruction in Yemen.

On the Syrian issue, Jarwan emphasized the fact that the legal and humanitarian responsibility makes it inevitable for the international community to urgently and immediately intervene to rescue besieged Syrians, who are exposed to death or forced migration.

Daily massacres in Aleppo raise questions on the “world’s conscience,” he said, urging the international community to assume its ethical and humanitarian responsibility toward the Syrian people.

On Libya, the AP Speaker reiterated support to the Libyan people in their efforts for dialogue, reconciliation and dissolution of the crisis to restore security and stability in their country.

He renewed Arab support to the Iraqi people in their fight against terror, and stressed the importance of Iraq’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as unity among all components of its society.