HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani presided over the inaugural session of the 24th Arab Summit held at the Sheraton Doha Hotel here on Tuesday morning.

HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani heads Qatar's delegation to the 24th session of the Arab summit.

Their Excellencies the kings and leaders of the Arab summit and heads of the participant delegations also attended the opening session.

HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al Thani and a number of Their Excellencies sheikhs, the ministers, the distinguished guests of the summit also attended the opening session together with Their Excellencies the heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar .

Verses of the holy Quran were recited during the opening session, then HH the Emir, the president of the 24th session of the Arab summit invited each of Ahmed Moaz Al Khatib, the head the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces and Ghassan Hitto, the Prime Minister of the Opposition Interim Government to occupy the seat of the sisterly Arab Republic of Syria to the summit. Then HH the Emir delivered a speech before the summit in which he welcomed in his name and on behalf of the government and people of the State of Qatar Their Excellencies the kings and leaders of the Arab countries and all the participants and the Arab League Secretary General wishing them all good stay in Doha.

HH the Emir also thanked Iraqi President Jalal Talabani for his tireless and strenuous efforts during his presidency of the former Arab summit and wished him speedy recovery. HH the Emir also thanked the Arab League Secretary General Dr. Nabil Al Arabi and the staff of the general secretariat for the strenuous and tireless efforts they have and are still exerting for boosting the role of the Arab League.