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Qatar, GNA Accused of Obstructing Arab Ministerial Meeting

Arab League foreign ministers hold a meeting (File photo: Reuters)
Arab League foreign ministers hold a meeting (File photo: Reuters)
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Qatar, GNA Accused of Obstructing Arab Ministerial Meeting

Arab League foreign ministers hold a meeting (File photo: Reuters)
Arab League foreign ministers hold a meeting (File photo: Reuters)

The Arab League has postponed its ministerial meeting till Tuesday, which raised questions about the reasons behind this delay, especially amid current developments.

Sources in the Arab League General Secretariat and official diplomatic missions stated that the delay was due to attempts by Qatar and Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) to obstruct the meeting by creating issues over the agenda.

Earlier, Egypt called for an emergency meeting for Arab foreign ministers on developments in Libya and managed to mobilize the consensus needed of member states to hold the meeting.

The meeting was supposed to be held Monday via video conferencing, after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi announced that “any direct intervention from the Egyptian state has now acquired international legitimacy.”

Sisi also warned that his country has the right to defend itself after receiving “direct threats” from “terrorist militias and mercenaries” supported by foreign countries.

Sources at the Arab League’s general secretariat indicated that GNA and Qatar sought to postpone the session, fearing the agenda of the meeting might include an item relating to the illegitimacy of GNA, or decisions that condemn the Turkish intervention and occupation of an Arab state.

The sources explained that the GNA-Qatari attempt was to avoid a possible claim to activate the Joint Arab Defence and Economic Co-operation Treaty, which will further legitimize the Egyptian intervention in Libya.

The General Secretariat has succeeded in reaching a consensus on the common goal among all Arab countries, which include: ceasefire, resumption of a political solution, dissolution of the militias, and the removal of all mercenaries from Libya, the sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

An Arab diplomatic source also spoke of Oman’s efforts to reach an agreement among all member states, stressing that the meeting will be held on Tuesday.

According to a source at the Arab League, the ministerial meeting will also discuss the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), where the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, will give a statement on the latest developments.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Foreign Minister had a phone call with the Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Yousef bin Alawi, who is the chairperson of the urgent session of the Arab League ministerial meeting.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ahmed Hafez, said the two officials discussed a number of regional issues of common concern and recent developments in the region.

They also addressed the agenda of the Arab League Council for the forthcoming ministerial session under Oman’s presidency of the current session.

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Zarif Warns of All-Out Civil War in Syria, Proposes Initiative for Regional Dialogue

Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)
Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)
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Zarif Warns of All-Out Civil War in Syria, Proposes Initiative for Regional Dialogue

Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)
Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian Presidency)

Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, warned on Tuesday of an all-out civil war in Syria.
His comments came in an initiative calling for dialogue between countries in the region, including the new government in Syria.
In an op-ed in The Economist on Monday, republished by the Iranian IRNA news agency, the Vice President outlined an approach to regional security and economic development through the creation of the Muslim West Asian Dialogue Association (MWADA), meaning “amity” in Arabic, with the aim to foster peaceful coexistence and equitable partnerships.
He said the initiative’s key priority is the establishment of immediate sustainable, permanent ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
Iran's influence in the Middle East has suffered setbacks following Israeli attacks on its Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah allies, and the subsequent fall of President Bashar Assad's regime in Syria.
Zarif’s initiative comes amid heightened expectations in Tehran over US President-elect Donald Trump's policy towards Iran as he prepares to take office in the White House.
Syria’s Challenge
Zarif said MWADA invites all core Muslim countries in West Asia, including the future government of Syria to engage in comprehensive negotiations.
This initiative should be grounded in the sublime values of our common religion, Islam, and on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-intervention and collective security,” he wrote.
Iran has spent billions of dollars supporting Bashar Assad during the war in Syria, and has deployed Revolutionary Guard troops in the country to keep its ally in power since the civil war erupted in 2011.
Lately, Ahmad al-Sharaa, head of the new Syrian government, made statements criticizing the role Iran has played in Syria over the past years.
In his op-ed, Zarif said, “post-Assad Syria presents a major challenge to us all.”
He said that unbridled Israeli aggression disregarding Syrian sovereignty, foreign interference undermining Syrian territorial integrity, horrifying scenes of violence and brutality reminiscent of ISIS savagery, and ethnic and sectarian violence—which may lead to an all-out civil war—require the immediate attention of the proposed MWADA.
The Iranian official added that a proposed MWADA Development Fund can finance critical infrastructure projects, particularly in devastated post-conflict areas.
Additionally, he said, governance reforms in Syria—as a basis for economic assistance—will promote accountability and lay the groundwork for a safe and stable country where women and minorities can thrive.
Concerning Palestine, Zarif said the humanitarian disaster also remains critical for regional stability.
“MWADA must prioritize Palestinian self-determination and support just solutions while fully respecting the aspirations of the people. This involves not just political solutions but also economic opportunities and the recognition of Palestinian rights,” he wrote.
Security of Navigation
Concerning relations with Saudi Arabia, Zarif said partnership between Tehran and Riyadh, two of the region’s most influential powers—will play a crucial role.
“By fostering unity and brotherhood among Shiite and Sunni Muslims, we can counter the extremism and sectarian strife that have historically destabilized the region,” he said.
Zarif also suggested a new regional cooperation on freedom of navigation, including joint maritime-security patrols.
He said the region is home to strategic chokepoints including the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
“Iran, given its location and security expertise, is uniquely positioned to contribute to the security of waterways like the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote, adding that others can play a leading role in securing Suez and Bab al-Mandab.
He then recalled the Hormuz Peace Endeavor or HOPE, which he suggested in 2019. The initiative came amid escalation of tensions in regional waters, after Iran responded to US sanctions by seizing foreign oil tankers.
Zarif’s initiative also called on working towards a region free from nuclear weapons and reviving the Iran nuclear deal (the JCPOA).
Iran’s Role
Speaking about Iran’s role, Zarif said like other participants, Tehran would play an indispensable role.
“Over the past 45 years, my country has demonstrated remarkable resilience and self-sufficiency in security and defense, managing to survive and even thrive; not just without foreign assistance, but in spite of pressure from extra-regional powers,” he wrote.
The widely believed perception of Iran losing its arms in the region stems from a wrong assumption that Iran has had proxy-patron relationships with resistance forces, he added.
Zarif said that trying to attribute it to Iran may serve a public relations campaign but will obstruct any resolution.
MWADA challenges us to re-imagine the region not as a battleground but as a hub of MWADA, amity and empathy, characterized by the pursuit of shared opportunities and collective prosperity, he noted.
“Transforming West Asia into a beacon of peace and collaboration is not just an idealistic aspiration; it is both a strategic imperative and an achievable goal that requires only commitment, dialogue and a shared vision,” the Iranian official said.
In a video message delivered in English on the occasion of Christmas, the Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs warned that the escalating tensions in the Middle East could lead to an uncontrollable global crisis.