Syria is back at the Arabs’ Summit after 12 years
The 32nd Arab Summit will start next Friday in Jeddah. This is in light of Arab countries’ economic crises.
The Arab leaders participating in the summit will have the opportunity to discuss the economic challenges facing their countries as a result of global crises, in addition to political challenges such as the Palestinian issue, which has witnessed an Israeli escalation in recent months, in addition to the military conflict in Sudan, the situation in Yemen, and ways to find political solutions to the Syrian crisis.
The summit will also search for solutions to Lebanon’s crises, whether economic or presidential, as well as the Libyan crisis.
According to the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the next Arab summit will focus mainly on economic issues, dealing with how to help Arab regions that need support.
The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States drew attention to the upcoming summit, which will bring together Arab leaders for the second time in 6 months, after the summit held in Algeria last November, and will be of significant importance to the Arab situation.
It is expected that the Arab leaders will discuss the Lebanese political crisis, the failure of the various parties to elect a president for the republic, so far, and the repercussions of this on the country, which is suffering from an unprecedented economic crisis.
While the official spokesman for the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Jamal Rushdi, expected that “the Palestinian issue will be at the forefront of the issues on the summit agenda, as it is the central issue of the Arabs.”
What is expected of the Summit?
Observers expect that the Arab summit in Saudi Arabia will be of significant importance in the history of previous Arab summits.
Some even consider it an “extraordinary summit”, due to the developments and transformations the region has witnessed in the recent period, including the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement.
On March 10, it was announced that a joint agreement had been reached under Chinese auspices. The agreement stipulates the resumption of relations between the two countries and the exchange of ambassadors within two months.
The summit’s work is also gaining political momentum. This is especially after Syria’s return to university after a ten-year hiatus.
Observers believe that Syria may be among the beneficiaries of this summit, as Arab leaders will have before them for the first time an official situation report from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is expected to attend the summit, on the situation in Syria, especially the two files of reconstruction of the country that suffered the scourge of war, and the return of refugees and displaced Syrians.
Aboul Gheit has previously stated that the Saudi summit will witness the most significant presence of Arab leaders and foreign ministers. He expressed his hope that it would “leave specific imprints and impact the Arab situation.”
What does Syria’s participation in this summit mean?
This summit will witness Syria’s return to its League seat for the first time since the start of the Syrian crisis. This will have a significant impact on the League on the one hand, and Syria’s relationship with its Arab neighboring nations.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Al-Miqdad previously said that his country’s participation in this summit is “a new opportunity for Damascus to tell the Arabs that it is not looking to the past but to the future.”
On May 7, the Arab League decided to return Damascus to its university seat after freezing it for more than 8 years. This decision came after relations between Damascus and other Arab governments in the region improved, as the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE recently visited Syria.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited the UAE and Oman earlier this year. While some countries, such as Qatar, are opposing normalizing relations with Damascus. Qatar confirmed that it would not hinder League decisions.
The Arab League’s decision comes in the context of an Arab movement led by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan to resolve the Syrian crisis. This is step-by-step and does not contradict UN Security Council Resolution No. 2254.
According to observers, Syria’s return to the League benefits the Arab countries and Syria in particular, since the Arab world agreeing on one opinion regarding Arab and international regional issues benefits all.
Syria has always wanted and defended Arab solidarity.
This return will reflect patriotic and nationalist feelings in Syrian society.
This return is expected to be reflected in the development of the country, which has suffered greatly due to terrorism and the American blockade.
This will affect Syrian citizens.
