Leaders from across the Arab and Islamic world on Monday denounced Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon and issued a collective demand for an immediate ceasefire at a summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman inaugurated the summit, which the Saudi Press Agency reported was aimed at reinforcing previous regional efforts against what he termed "reprehensible Israeli attacks" on Palestine and Lebanon.
He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people, calling on the international community to prioritize global peace and security by halting Israel's activities in the region.
The crown prince also urged pressure on Israel to respect the sovereignty of Iran and cease hostile actions on Iranian territories.
At the summit, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad condemned Israel's aggression against Palestine and Lebanon, as well as the acts of genocide committed against the Palestinian people.
He emphasized that if regional countries do not utilize the "tools" at their disposal to take concrete action, they would effectively become "indirect accomplices to genocide."
Meanwhile. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi noted that the invasion of Palestinian and Lebanese territories is a challenge to the entire international system which is unacceptable, saying that Egypt strongly opposes any plans that undermine the Palestine cause.
Sisi also called for an end to the aggression against Lebanon, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Addressing a speech, Jordan's King Abdullah II urged the international community to take a firm stance and implement action to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
He emphasized the need to prevent the worsening of the humanitarian disaster and to avoid plunging the region into a comprehensive war that would have dire consequences for all.
Arab, Islamic leaders condemn Israeli aggression against Palestine, Lebanon
A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities on Thursday wrapped up their nine-day visit to Taiwan. They set off for Taiwan on Nov. 27 and visited universities, historical sites, scenic spots, as well as sports, sci-tech and cultural venues on the island, widely engaging with locals throughout the tour.
The delegation made the tour at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation.
"The young people from both sides of the Strait share the same root, and we are having a harmonious communication this time. We also welcome young people from Taiwan to visit the mainland for exchange," Cao Yibo, a student from Peking University, told reporters during the tour.
The delegation included table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long who studies at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian of Tsinghua University.
"In the future, I would like to visit Taiwan again. I did not expect that so many compatriots in Taiwan would come to welcome and us and pay so much attention to our exchange tour," Ma said.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, saw off the delegation at the airport on Thursday, and said the mainland students and teachers had received Taiwan residents' heartfelt welcome wherever they went.
"The farewell dinner party was held yesterday evening, when almost all students from the mainland shared their feelings. What moved me so much is that every one of them thanked people here, because the latter sincerely and warmly welcomed them wherever they went during the nine-day tour. They told me that when they go back, they will tell their relatives and friends that people in Taiwan are kind, hospitable and warm. I believe that is the most important purpose of the exchange across the Strait," he said.
Calling youth exchanges a foundation of cross-Strait relations in the future, Hsiao said the foundation will carry on and continue to promote such exchanges across the Strait.
This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the visit by a first delegation in July last year.
Delegation of mainland university students, teachers wraps up Taiwan visit
