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Arab League to Asharq Al-Awsat: Differences Persist on Restoring Syria Membership

The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)
The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)
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Arab League to Asharq Al-Awsat: Differences Persist on Restoring Syria Membership

The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)
The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)

Arab League Assistant Secretary General Hossam Zaki stated that differences still persist between Arab countries over restoring Syria's membership at the organization.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that discussions on Syria's membership arise ahead of any Arab League ministerial meeting or summit, citing efforts by Algeria, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates to end Damascus' isolation.

"Ultimately, no progress has been made," he revealed, saying: "Consensus is necessary."

Consensus will not be possible amid the differences in positions among members, "but we are following the issue closely to determine whether we can resolve them before the next Arab League meeting," Zaki added.

Syria's membership was suspended in 2011 over its brutal crackdown on peaceful anti-regime protesters at the start of its conflict.

The Arab League had suspended its work for over a month due to the coronavirus pandemic. A summit had been scheduled for Algeria in March, but it has been postponed. Meetings and talks have been held by telephone and video conference.

Zaki said the organization has gradually been resuming its work in line with the preventive measures adopted by Egypt, where the Arab League is based. The organization's headquarters are regularly sterilized and disinfected and employees are being tested for the virus.

The situation is so far "reassuring", he stated.

On whether the Arab League will resume its meetings normally, he said this issue will take time and at the moment, "we must rely on digital platforms."

He hoped that Arab countries will end up taking advantage of the pandemic to develop closer bonds and resilience in confronting natural disasters.

Zaki predicted that the world will contend with the repercussions of the pandemic for a "long time and they will, unfortunately, not be easily overcome, especially after opponents of globalization in the West discovered that they lacked the national means to produce the main gear needed to combat the outbreak."

"They were reluctantly forced to turn to foreign manufacturers. This will definitely leave its mark on the coming phase and our Arab countries will be affected by this in varying degrees," he said.

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Mashhadani to Asharq Al-Awsat: Regional Coordination Needed to Prevent Syria’s Division

Mashhadani during a parliamentary session (Iraqi Parliament website)
Mashhadani during a parliamentary session (Iraqi Parliament website)
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Mashhadani to Asharq Al-Awsat: Regional Coordination Needed to Prevent Syria’s Division

Mashhadani during a parliamentary session (Iraqi Parliament website)
Mashhadani during a parliamentary session (Iraqi Parliament website)

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani has called for high-level coordination among key regional players—including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and other nations—to avert one of the most dangerous scenarios facing Syria: the threat of division, which he described as “one of Israel’s objectives.”

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Mashhadani discussed the Syrian crisis and its impact on Iraq and the broader region. He explained that the current Syrian situation has unfolded with unforeseen tools, timing, and external support, yet remains controlled and deliberate.

According to the Iraqi official, Syria faces three possible outcomes: stability, chaos, or division.

“Who supports the division of Syria?” he asked, saying “Israel alone, while key nations in the region—such as Iran, Türkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Jordan—oppose it.”

He urged these nations to overcome their differences and coordinate to prevent Syria’s fragmentation and maintain its stability, saying: “We must prioritize the unity of Syria over our disputes.”

Mashhadani emphasized Iraq’s efforts to mediate and foster understanding among these countries, saying “Iraq has a unique historical opportunity to reclaim its regional role.”

He explained that Iraq’s strategic position as a crossroads between major nations enables it to facilitate dialogue and cooperation. He also stressed the importance of high-level security coordination, citing shared concerns over threats such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and ISIS.

“We all share common fears regarding the spread of extremist groups,” he said, “and Iraq can act as a coordinator to address these concerns.”

Additionally, he called for Iraq to collaborate with Gulf countries to address legitimate fears regarding Syria’s future governance and potential domination by extremist groups.

“We must ask: who will govern Syria, and how do we prevent the rise of radical forces like the Muslim Brotherhood?”

Mashhadani highlighted the unified rejection by Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia of plans to forcibly relocate Palestinians from the West Bank to Sinai, Jordan, or Iraq.

“This displacement scheme is unacceptable to us and to the region,” he affirmed.

On Iraq, Mashhadani confirmed that the parliamentary elections are set to take place in October, in line with agreements among political blocs. He also emphasized the need for national unity, saying: “Iraq needs a leadership umbrella that represents the entire nation, and parliament is best suited to fulfill this role.”

He further stated that his political agenda centers on rebuilding and uniting Iraq’s Sunni community, which has faced significant challenges since 2014.

“My mission is to bring together the different Sunni factions, despite their rivalries and conflicting interests,” he said. “I aim to serve as an umbrella figure—a stabilizing presence to guide them toward cohesion and cooperation.”

Revisiting his 2014 proposal for “national reconciliation,” Mashhadani stressed the importance of transitioning Iraq from a system based on sectarian divisions to one grounded in citizenship, where merit and competence prevail.

“We asked ourselves: what kind of Iraq do we want?” he recalled. “The answer was clear—an Iraq that transitions from a state of components to a state of citizenship.” However, the initiative was sidelined due to political events, including the 2018 protests. “The need for reconciliation is more urgent than ever,” he concluded.

Mashhadani dismissed recurring calls for the creation of a Sunni federal region as “political immaturity.” Reflecting on a similar proposal for a nine-province Shiite federal region in 2006, he reiterated his opposition to dividing Iraq.

He distinguished between federalism and division, saying: “Federalism is a promising concept, but it requires deep understanding and experience. Division, on the other hand, would be disastrous.”

“Iraq’s diversity makes unity our only viable path forward. Citizenship must be the foundation of our state," he added.