عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Interviews

Arab Parliament Speaker to Asharq Al-Awsat: Arab Disputes Create Fertile Environment for Foreign Meddling

Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al Asoomi, Asharq Al-Awsat
Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al Asoomi, Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
TT

Arab Parliament Speaker to Asharq Al-Awsat: Arab Disputes Create Fertile Environment for Foreign Meddling

Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al Asoomi, Asharq Al-Awsat
Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al Asoomi, Asharq Al-Awsat

Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al Asoomi revealed that the fourth Arab Parliament conference for council speakers is expected to produce a comprehensive document on how security and stability can be achieved for the Arab world.

“This document will be comprehensive in including all the challenges facing the Arab world in all fields. After its adoption by the conference, it is scheduled to be submitted to the next Arab Summit in Algeria,” Al Asoomi told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The Fourth Conference of the Arab Parliament kicks off on February 19 under the title “the role of parliamentarians in achieving security and stability in the Arab world.”

It will discuss several topics and issues of concern to the Arab world and the role entrusted to parliamentarians in this regard.

Al Asoomi revealed that the Arab Parliament is also organizing a forum to promote economic integration among Arab countries.

The forum will be held in Egypt in partnership with the Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO).

On foreign interference, the speaker said it finds a fertile environment in disputes between Arab countries and that the Arab Parliament is backing efforts to bridge the gap allowing foreign parties to intervene in Arab world affairs.

“The Arab Parliament strongly supports the tireless efforts made by Arab leaders for Arab reunification and the crystallization of a common Arab vision to deal with external challenges, the most prominent of which are regional and international interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries,” said Al Asoomi.

Moreover, Al Asoomi stressed that the Arab Parliament “seeks to have a positive and influential role on the Arab arena, especially since the challenges facing the Arab world are difficult and numerous and require solidarity and integration between official and parliamentary diplomacy.”

“Parliamentary diplomacy in our contemporary world has become a very big and important role, especially since it does not abide by some of the restrictions and balances that govern official diplomacy,” explained the speaker.

“We hope that these efforts will find an echo and achieve positive results in supporting joint Arab action,” said Al Asoomi.

At the same time as it tries to resolve Arab disputes, the Arab Parliament also attaches great importance to economic affairs and supports Arab economic integration.

“This comes within the framework of the Arab Parliament’s determination to activate its role and perform its mission in a way that contributes to the integration of governmental and parliamentary efforts in the service of joint Arab action and strengthening its mechanisms,” clarified Al Asoomi.

When asked about the initiatives adopted by the Arab Parliament to enhance social security, Al Asoomi recalled the launch of the Arab Fund for Crisis and Disaster Response and the Arab Center for Combatting Terrorism and Extremism.

“We also launched the Center for Arab Parliamentary Diplomacy out of our belief in the important role played by parliamentary diplomacy in achieving the interests of the Arab peoples and in promoting joint Arab action in this difficult phase that the Arab nation is going through, which requires strengthening Arab solidarity more than ever,” said Al Asoomi.

Arab economic integration is an urgent priority at a time when economic blocs are the cornerstone of the global economic system, explained the speaker.

“The Arab Parliament supports all initiatives that contribute to providing support for joint Arab action, serving the interests of Arab peoples, defending their issues, and enhancing joint Arab cooperation at all levels,” he affirmed.

Most Viewed

 
 
Interviews

UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.