Saudi Arabia to Host Arab Summit on May 19

A view shows vehicles driving on the street in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: Reuters)
A view shows vehicles driving on the street in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Arab Summit on May 19

A view shows vehicles driving on the street in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: Reuters)
A view shows vehicles driving on the street in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: Reuters)

The 32nd Arab summit will be held in Saudi Arabia on May 19, announced the General Secretariat of the Arab League.

The League’s assistant secretary general, Hossam Zaki, said the decision came after consultations between Sec-Gen Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the Saudi government.

He indicated that Saudi Arabia welcomed hosting the summit on the specified date.

Zaki said that "the summit will be preceded by several preparatory meetings between senior officials and ministers over five days.”

The League indicated that 2023 is expected to witness the Arab development summit in Mauritania and the Arab-African summit in Saudi Arabia.

Aboul Gheit suggested in press statements during his visit to Lebanon that the main topic of the summit should focus on economic issues and helping the neediest Arab regions.

Earlier, spokesperson Gamal Roushdy confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that consultations are underway between the Arab League and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop the best possible agenda of issues at the forefront of joint Arab action.

Roushdy explained that the discussions often continue until the summit's date next May to address all the developments.

The official spokesman expected that the Palestinian issue would be at the forefront of the points on the summit's agenda, being a central issue of the Arabs. He also indicated that the recent developments in the occupied territories, including the Israeli violations, would be addressed at the summit.



Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis. He expressed Saudi Arabia’s openness to international initiatives aimed at bringing peace to Sudan.
At the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, held in Djibouti, Al-Khuraiji discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United States, facilitated talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to the Jeddah Declaration on May 11, 2023, which aimed to protect civilians.
Al-Khuraiji also noted the continuation of talks with the involvement of the African Union and IGAD, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s support for African-led solutions.
He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to restoring stability in Sudan and urged all parties to act with wisdom, show restraint, and support positive initiatives.
Al-Khuraiji also met with EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, on the sidelines of the consultative meeting.
In separate meetings, he also met with the UN Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
During these meetings, they reviewed the latest developments in Sudan, explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and discussed topics of mutual interest.
The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) expressed support for international and regional meetings, hoping they would bring positive results to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.
They urged the need that discussions focus on ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need, protecting civilians, and achieving an immediate ceasefire.
Taqaddum highlighted the importance of international legal frameworks for civilian protection and safe passageways during the conflict.
They called on international and regional partners to quickly bring both sides back to negotiations, build on the Jeddah agreements, and secure a binding ceasefire with effective monitoring.
Taqaddum also stressed the need for a unified negotiation platform to achieve peace.