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The Saudi Press Agency reported that Shura Council member Saad bin Salib Al-Otaibi secured the presidency by acclamation in the session convened to choose the parliament’s president along with its bureau. In remarks carried by the agency Al-Otaibi expressed gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support of national competencies which he said his election reflects the kingdom’s elevated status and commitment to joint Arab work. The agency noted that Al-Otaibi also thanked Shura Council Speaker Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh for his guidance describing the outcome as the result of integrated institutional efforts.
Al-Otaibi who had served as first deputy president of the Arab Parliament since his uncontested election to that post in June 2025 according to Shura Council records outlined a vision for the coming period. The Saudi Press Agency quoted him stating that the next phase requires transitioning Arab parliamentary work from broad aspirations into measurable results-driven programs with clear performance indicators. He called on members to collaborate in a spirit of unity to strengthen the parliament’s presence in regional and international forums while confronting shared challenges.
A member of the Shura Council for its eighth and ninth terms Al-Otaibi holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University the council’s official website shows. He chairs multiple companies focused on construction infrastructure investment and technology including Ansab for General Contracting and Sky Five Arabian Company. These experiences in both legislative and private sectors position him to advance the parliament’s operational effectiveness the agency indicated in its coverage.
The Arab Parliament serves as the consultative legislative body of the Arab League with 88 members drawn from the organization’s 22 states according to the parliament’s founding protocols established at Arab summits in 2002 and 2004. Its headquarters relocated to Cairo in 2012 after operating from Damascus and the body aims to harmonize Arab positions on political economic and social matters while promoting democracy and development. Al-Otaibi’s election occurs as the parliament prepares for its new legislative term set to open on Monday following preparatory meetings at the Arab League headquarters.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that Al-Otaibi placed the Palestinian cause at the forefront of priorities pledging continued advocacy for the Palestinian people’s rights to an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. He stressed that joint Arab action now constitutes an essential established approach rather than an occasional option for safeguarding Arab security and unifying positions. The new president urged parliament members to pool expertise so the institution can evolve into a more impactful voice defending Arab interests.
Qatar News Agency which covered the Cairo session separately noted that Al-Otaibi emphasized the need for solidarity and coordinated efforts to enhance the effectiveness of Arab institutions amid current challenges. The parliament which succeeded earlier interim formations now enters a phase focused on concrete initiatives the Saudi Press Agency added in its dispatch. Al-Otaibi’s uncontested victory underscores broad support among Arab legislative bodies for Saudi leadership in this forum.
