DOHA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here on Sunday (Sept 14) night to attend the Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, which will convene leaders and representatives of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states on Monday.
The special aircraft carrying Anwar landed at Hamad International Airport at 9.30 pm local time (2.30 am, Sept 15 in Malaysia).
Anwar is attending the extraordinary summit at the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, following the latest developments involving Israeli attacks on the country.
Upon arrival, the Prime Minister was accorded a Guard of Honour by Qatar’s Amiri Guard and welcomed by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Also present were Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Malaysian Ambassador to Qatar Faizal Razali.
The Prime Minister’s delegation includes Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan and senior officials from the Foreign Ministry.
Earlier, the aircraft departed from the Royal Malaysian Air Force Subang Air Base at 7pm Malaysian time.
Anwar is scheduled to deliver Malaysia’s national statement at the extraordinary summit to reaffirm the country’s firm stance on the urgent need to end Israel’s blatant violations of international law, including the United Nations Charter and state sovereignty, that threaten regional and global peace.
According to Wisma Putra, the Prime Minister’s participation showed Malaysia’s support and solidarity with Qatar, and as a continuation of Malaysia’s efforts to defend the rights of the Palestinian people and to condemn the brutality and violence perpetrated by Israel.
The summit is expected to adopt a Final Communiqué outlining collective actions and positions to address this issue.
The Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit is preceded by an Arab-Islamic Ministerial Preparatory Meeting on Sunday morning.
The summit will discuss the latest developments in Gaza, Palestine, and the brutal Zionist attacks on the territory, which Anwar has previously described as inhumane insolence.
According to international media reports, the extraordinary summit had been convened to discuss the Israeli attack on Doha on Sept 9, allegedly targeting Hamas political leadership during a meeting on a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal.
The strike in the Leqtaifiya area involved around 15 fighter aircraft, killing six people, including the son of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, his office director (manager), and a Qatari security officer, while Hamas’s top leaders reportedly survived. - Bernama
