The presentation of the study was followed by a round of comments and debates in which a number of participants in the forum took part. The comments and debates centered around some of the shortcomings of the study, especially those concerned with the information related to parliamentary experiments in Arab states. Moreover, they centered on the issues of democracy, Arab parliamentary coordination and the critique of parliamentary experiments. Furthermore, they broached the subject of trends and visions for the development of Arab parliamentary work.

Concerning the shortcomings of the study, a number of comments pointed out that the study has failed to be comprehensive as it overlooked to speak about the experiments of all the Arab states, especially those of Djibouti, Comores Islands and Mauritania. Some participants remarked that the study lacked some data. There was a call for the supplementation of information by all participants.

In addition, the participants surveyed some of the information related to the parliamentary experiments of notably Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar. Moreover, some of the information mentioned in the study about these states were corrected.

Other participants reproached the study for failing to survey the electoral laws, despite the importance of these laws in embodying the concept of democracy. Others blamed the study for concentrating on comparing the changes in Arab constitutions and parliamentary by-laws at a time it was supposed to deal with parliamentary experiments as practiced by Arab parliaments in order to give a more comprehensive picture of the subject after the introduction of the implementation and practice dimensions to it.

Furthermore, the study was reproached for failing to deal with the subject of parliamentary blocs as they demonstrate that parliaments are not the parliaments of single individuals but parliaments of programs, plans and options. It has been noted that the single individual in parliament, no matter how powerful he may be, does not possess the power of a political bloc which focuses on a clear agenda and methods of operation.

Other participants noted the absence from the study of any reference to the oversight role of Arab parliaments. Moreover, the study gave no reference to the priority of legislation between the MP, government or the head of state. Also absent were the other monitoring procedures related to the manner of asking questions and the gradual advance of monitorial procedures. In addition, the study dealt with the subject of committees from the numerical and statistical angle and it did not deal with the fields which legislative committees specialize in.

At a time when the study spoke of the MP's duties, it did not refer to the problem of absenteeism of MPs and the problem of following up the deliberations in parliament. Also, it failed to refer to the suitability of the MP.

On the other hand, the debaters put on record some observations about the study. There was consensus that the study was characterized as being thoroughly descriptive and documented, and lacked an analytic dimension. It could serve as a general framework for the forum because it includes the subjects of the other themes. In addition, it represents a serious attempt to monitor legislations and the internal systems of Arab parliamentary councils.

This comparative study should have dealt with the foundations from wArab parliaments have drawn their model. These foundations are three: the Sharia or Islamic law and the Anglo - Saxon and French systems of legislations. The states which were subjected to British colonial rule drew the foundations of their parliaments from the Anglo - Saxon systems and the states that were subjected to French colonial rule followed the French example in setting up their parliaments.

In contrast, some participants saw that this study is mainly a framework to the themes that will be dealt with by the forum. Hence, it was not required to present an analytic reading that goes beyond the descriptive side of the topics it has raised. Furthermore, it represents a preliminary project for a data base on Arab parliaments. Therefore, it was suggested that the study be distributed to all the participants in the forum and to be published on the Internet in order to be reviewed by parliamentarians and specialists in parliamentary affairs in the Arab countries to allow them to participate in supplementing its shortcomings.

On the other hand, the debates included a set of suggestions which aimed at developing parliamentary work and coordinating Arab efforts in this respect. Consequently, emphasis was put on the idea of an Arab parliamentary databank which would provide information services to Arab and non - Arab researchers and parliamentarians. Some proposed seriously the possibility of establishing an Arab parliament. This proposal requires more profound thinking and presupposes the initiation of action by the Arab Parliamentary Union to undertake the necessary preparation in this domain.

Some participants spoke highly of the high degree of coordination among Arab parliamentarians during the International Parliamentary Conference. They expressed their optimism for greater opportunities of coordination among Arab parliaments.