Following the meeting, Sheikh Mohammad told a news conference that the talks had focused on preparations for a Gaza reconstruction conference to be held in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. He and President Mubarak had also discussed meetings of Arab foreign ministers to be held in preparation for the forthcoming Arab summit in Doha, which will followed by another meeting of Arab foreign ministers, this time with their Latin American counterparts ahead of an Arab-Latin America summit also being held in Doha.
He reiterated Kuwait’s support for Egyptian efforts in inter-Palestinian national reconciliation and said that he had offered condolences to the Egyptian leader over the recent terrorist attack in Cairo. Asked if his regional tour had something to do with inter-Arab reconciliatory efforts, Sheikh Mohammad answered in the affirmative, noting that these efforts were based on an initiative launched by Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz and emphasizing President Mubarak’s crucial role.
Later in Amman, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabah delivered a letter from the Amir to the Jordanian monarch, King Abdullah II. Sheikh Mohammed said prior to his departure for Damascus that his visit came as part of an Arab tour to follow up the resolutions taken during the Arab Economic Summit which was held in the State of Kuwait last month.
Sheikh Mohammed said the meeting with King Abdullah II was an opportunity to discuss and consult on the meeting of donor countries, which will be held in the next couple of days in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh, as well as preparations for the Arab summit to be held in Doha soon to be followed by a meeting of Arab countries with Latin American counterparts which will be held soon.
Sheikh Mohammed praised the Jordanian monarch by saying "The King is a man who enjoys wise thought and deep insight in the direction of winning the battle of the world public opinion at this stage and achieve what we seek to establish of a just and comprehensive peace and a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital".
Asked about the reconstruction of Gaza, Sheikh Mohammad said: "We as the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council met in Riyadh to coordinate positions with respect to the setting up of a fund for the reconstruction of Gaza", saying it is presented at the level of the Arab world as well as coordination with the Islamic Development Bank, reiterating that these efforts are nothing new for the State of Kuwait.
Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need for humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza as soon as possible and in the most efficient manner so that such assistance would not become subject to political wrangling.
