Syria and Lebanon’s speeches at the Arab League Summit in Baghdad on Saturday reflected the extent of the dramatic changes in their country after the collapse of the Assad regime and the election of a new president in Lebanon, but challenges remain.
Addressing the summit, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani warned against attempts to stoke strife in his country, adding that “ISIS gangs continue to violate Syria’s sovereignty and internal security.”
“Some sides want to fragment Syria and we call on Arabs to protect its unity and reject division,” he urged.
“Syria is being violated repeatedly by Israel, threatening to spark war in the south and undermining regional stability,” he said.
Moreover, he declared that Syria rejects hegemony over it and “will not be an arena for the conflicts of others.”
He acknowledged that Syria still faces “grave challenges and disputes over interests.”
Shaibani also hailed “every step that helps breaks Syria’s isolation and lifts sanctions off it.”
“The Syrian people are committed to their Arab identity. Syria belongs to all Syrians,” he added, revealing that his country was working on drafting a new constitution that consolidates the rule of law and the unity of Syrian territories.
It was also placing the finishing touches on parliamentary elections that represent all Syrians, the FM stated.
Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir underscored the Kingdom’s support for the Syrian government in confronting security challenges.
He praised US President Donald Trump’s decision this week to lift sanctions off Syria.
“This is a great opportunity for Syria’s recovery and to support its development,” he told the summit.
Trump made the announcement during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his country has opened a new chapter in its history based on reform in all fields.
“We want to impose the sovereignty of the Lebanese state throughout all of its territories and assert that the state is the party that controls the decision of war and peace,” he added.
During a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the summit, he expressed Lebanon’s “categorical rejection of Israeli violations against the country, urging an immediate halt to the attacks.”
He reiterated his government’s commitment to full cooperation with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in preserving security and stability along the Blue Line border with Israel.
He noted however, that Israel’s continued occupation of some Lebanese territories is a flagrant violation of international resolutions.
