The decision by the leaders of Algeria and Tunisia to skip Tuesday’s emergency Arab Summit in Cairo on Gaza and the Palestinian issue has raised questions about the level of Arab participation and its impact on the summit’s outcomes.
A well-informed Egyptian source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo had “extended invitations to all leaders of Arab League member states” and was keen on securing full participation “to hold consultations and take a stance on this critical issue at a pivotal moment for the region.”
On Sunday evening, Algeria’s state news agency reported that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had decided not to attend the summit.
On Monday, Tunisia’s presidency announced that President Kais Saied had assigned Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti to lead the country’s delegation at the Cairo meeting.
According to the Tunisian presidency, Tunisia “will reaffirm its firm and unwavering support for Palestinian rights, foremost among them the establishment of an independent, sovereign state across all of Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital.”
The Egyptian source, who requested anonymity, dismissed suggestions that Algeria and Tunisia were absent from the summit and said: “Sending an official representative on behalf of the head of state constitutes formal participation. The aim is to ensure official representation and unified positions from all states.”
The source noted that it was not uncommon for some countries, in both this and previous summits, to send representatives instead of their leaders.
“This does not diminish their participation, as these officials speak on behalf of their states just as presidents and kings do. Even if a representative misses certain high-level meetings, the final agreements are always presented at the closing session for collective endorsement by all participating delegations,” the source added.
Egypt’s former envoy to the United Nations Ambassador Mootaz Ahmadein said international summits are attended by representatives designated by each country, adding that participation at any level ensures official representation.
“If the president attends, that’s ideal. If it’s the prime minister, that’s also good. If a minister represents the country, that’s reasonable. Even if it’s the permanent representative or the ambassador to the host country, it does not diminish the country’s presence,” Ahmadein told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He stressed that even if a country is entirely absent from a summit, decisions are still made by consensus.
“Absence means a country has forfeited its vote, but participating at any level and formally registering a position is always the best approach in diplomacy,” he said.
According to the emergency summit agenda, sent by Egypt’s permanent delegation to the Arab League, the reception for participating delegations will begin at 3 pm Cairo time on Tuesday, followed by the opening session at 4:30 pm.
After a Ramadan iftar hosted in honor of the delegations, a closed session will be held, followed by a final session. The summit is scheduled to conclude at 8:30 pm with the announcement of a final statement and agreed-upon resolutions.
