Arab leaders meet for World Youth Forum in Egypt

Arab leaders attended a youth summit held in Egypt on Monday, bringing in youngsters from across the globe for talks this week.

Egypt President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, 67, Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati, 66, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, 86, were among those to attend the World Youth Forum on Monday in Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh resort.

The forum will last four days and features high-level officials and young people from nations across the globe.

Also attending was Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein. 

During the forum, Sisi urged young people to discuss ways to solve "global dilemmas".

Honest motivations "are the only way to end conflicts and challenges", Sisi remarked.

Egypt is one of the worst jailers of journalists in the world with thousands of political prisoners behind bars.

António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, delivered a pre-recorded message where he argued the summit was an important chance for young people to share knowledge and build a brighter tomorrow.

He said: "Young people have provided ideas and solutions that help local communities on how to rebuild and get out of the pandemic in a stronger state."

The WYF, an annual event held in Sharm El-Sheikh, began in 2017. There was a break in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.