Arab FMs Reach Consensus on Arab League Summit's Agenda

Arab League Foreign Ministers meet in Algiers, Algeria (AP)
Arab League Foreign Ministers meet in Algiers, Algeria (AP)
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Arab FMs Reach Consensus on Arab League Summit's Agenda

Arab League Foreign Ministers meet in Algiers, Algeria (AP)
Arab League Foreign Ministers meet in Algiers, Algeria (AP)

A senior Arab League official said on Sunday that regional foreign ministers have approved main topics for discussion at the bloc’s upcoming summit scheduled for Tuesday in the Algerian capital.

Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki told reporters that “present tensions” were contained and that Arab foreign ministers were able to find consensus on the topics that will be discussed by Arab League leaders in their upcoming summit.

“All the issues that have been discussed have reached consensus, and we look forward to a successful summit on November 1 and 2,” said Zaki.

He said ministers reached agreement on all the proposed draft resolutions included on the agenda, and that “none of its items will be postponed.”

“Indicators show that we are heading towards a successful summit,” he affirmed, adding that Arab foreign ministers are now in agreement and that “matters are clear for the Arab League.”

Meanwhile, Zaki denied news reported by some media outlets about a “disagreement regarding some of the meeting's terms,” stressing that “all tensions were contained, and the meetings took place in an atmosphere of cordiality and respect.”

Zaki refrained from going into detail about what he labeled as “tensions.”

When asked about amendments to the Arab League Charter, Zaki said it was not currently on the summit’s agenda.

As for the Sudan Food Security Initiative, Zaki confirmed that the summit will adopt a supportive position for the North African nation, especially within the decision presented by the Arab League’s economic and social council regarding the integrated strategy for Arab food security.

Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, for his part, said that the meeting of the Arab foreign ministers “allowed reaching consensual results, after rich and in-depth consultations.”

Arab League foreign ministers, in their meeting, discussed 19 items, the most important of which are the Palestinian cause, the Arab-Israeli conflict, support for Lebanon, and developments of the Syrian crisis.

They also addressed developments in Libya, the situation in Yemen, support for peace and development in Sudan, as well as support for Somalia and the Comoros.

Moreover, the meeting tackled Iran’s occupation of the three Emirati islands and its interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries.

The ministers also took a unified position regarding the Turkish violation of Iraqi sovereignty, the maintenance of Arab national security, and the fight against terrorism.



Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
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Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)

Italy plans to send an ambassador back to Syria after a decade-long absence, the country’s foreign minister said, in a diplomatic move that could spark divisions among European Union allies.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking in front of relevant parliamentary committees Thursday, announced Rome’s intention to re-establish diplomatic ties with Syria to prevent Russia from monopolizing diplomatic efforts in the Middle Eastern country.

Moscow is considered a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has remained in power despite widespread Western isolation and civilian casualties since the start of Syria’s civil war in March 2011.

Peaceful protests against the Assad government — part of the so-called “Arab Spring” popular uprisings that spread across some of the Middle East — were met by a brutal crackdown, and the uprising quickly spiraled into a full-blown civil war.

The conflict was further complicated by the intervention of foreign forces on all sides and a rising militancy, first by al-Qaida-linked groups and then the ISIS group until its defeat on the battlefield in 2019.

The war, which has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population of 23 million, is now largely frozen, despite ongoing low-level fighting.

The country is effectively carved up into areas controlled by the Damascus-based government of Assad, various opposition groups and Syrian Kurdish forces.

In the early days of the conflict, many Western and Arab countries cut off relations with Syria, including Italy, which has since managed Syria-related diplomacy through its embassy in Beirut.

However, since Assad has regained control over most of the territory, neighboring Arab countries have gradually restored relations, with the most symbolically significant move coming last year when Syria was re-admitted to the Arab League.

Tajani said Thursday the EU’s policy in Syria should be adapted to the “development of the situation,” adding that Italy has received support from Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Slovakia.

However, the US and allied countries in Europe have largely continued to hold firm in their stance against Assad’s government, due to concerns over human rights violations.