The Kingdom of Bahrain handed over the presidency of the Arab Summit to the Iraq Republic for its 34th session ahead of the launch of the summit's proceedings, which is held at a critical juncture in the Arab region.

The Palestinian cause figured high on the agenda of the summit, with an emphasis on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the opening of crossings to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance into the war-torn enclave along with supporting the Arab Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza, which was approved during an emergency summit in Cairo last March.

The Arab summit is expected to discuss Arab national security, combating terrorism, the latest developments of the crises in Syria, Sudan, Yemen and Libya along with solidarity with Lebanon and water files, topped by the Ethiopian dam as well as the situation in the occupied Syrian Golan and Iran's occupation of the UAE's three islands.

Participants are offered an important chance for reviewing the implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative, Israeli violations in al Quds, issues of refugees and prisoners as well as development efforts in Palestine.

The summit will wrap up with issuing the "Declaration of Baghdad," which will reflect the unified Arab position regarding different regional and international issues.

The Arab leaders attending the summit posed for a commemorative photo op ahead of its convening. (MORE)
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