Manama, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, chaired the meeting of permanent representatives and senior officials of Arab countries ahead of the preparatory meeting of the Arab Ministers of Foreign Affairs before the 33rd Arab Summit. Ambassador Hossam Zaki, the Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League and Head of the Office of the Secretary-General, attended the meeting. In his remarks at the meeting, Shaikh Abdullah welcomed the delegates to meeting, coinciding with the silver jubilee of the accession of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He commended the efforts of Saudi Arabia during its presidency of the previous session of the Arab League Council. The undersecretary said that the Bahrain Summit will convene at an exceptional and critical time, given the magnitude of the challenges facing the Arab Nation. He reviewed the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and attempts to undermine the pillars of the national state and its legitimate institutions. He also touched on the danger posed by armed militias that have increase the level of terrorism and pose a threat to regional security. Shaikh Abdullah affirmed that Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty the King with the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, is exerting utmost efforts to support just Arab causes and is fully committed to fulfilling its obligations and advocating for unity and solidarity. He added that a just and comprehensive peace is a strategic choice that aims to uphold Arab national security and ensure that all countries enjoy stability and prosperity. The Political Affairs Undersecretary pointed out that the Palestine cause is the core issue of the conflict in the Middle East and the central cause of the Arab world. He expressed hope for immediately ending the war on the Gaza Strip and fulfilling the aspirations of the Palestinian people to gain their legitima te rights and establish their independent state. Shaikh Abdullah affirmed that the Arab identity is the pillar of the progress and unity of the Arab Nation. He emphasised that the Bahrain Summit is a message of peace and solidarity, an energy of hope and optimism for the people of the Arab Nation. He added that the people of the Arab Nation await concrete and successful decisions that unify joint Arab efforts, overcome existing challenges, and prevent foreign interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs called for leveraging the outcomes of the Bahrain Summit to comprehensively revitalise joint Arab action, open new paths for Arab integration based on peace and development, and build partnerships. He stressed that Bahrain consistently supports efforts to safeguard Arab values and promote achievements. For his part, Ambassador Hossam Zaki, the Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League and Head of the Office of the Se cretary-General, lauded the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the summit providing all necessary preparations and support to the Secretariat-General and the participating delegations. Ambassador Zaki expressed his satisfaction with the Arab consensus on the items included in the draft agenda. He expected that the Bahrain summit will produce positive resolutions and unified positions towards the Arab issues and challenges. The meeting discussed the topics on the agenda and decided to submit the necessary recommendations on them to the preparatory meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers ahead of the Arab summit.