Arab League Calls for Ending War in Sudan

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)
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Arab League Calls for Ending War in Sudan

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)

The Arab League called on Tuesday for the immediate cessation of all hostilities in Sudan and a complete ceasefire to save the Sudanese state, its institutions and facilities.

Egypt chaired an emergency meeting of the organization, which convened at the level of permanent delegates, to follow up on the developments in Sudan.

The League strongly condemned the targeting and killing of residents, regardless of their nationalities, and attacks on civilian and medical facilities.

It warned of the consequences and repercussions of these actions, which may intensify the conflict and which violate international humanitarian law.

The organization offered its deepest condolences to the families of Sudanese victims and the Assistant Administrative Attaché at the Egyptian Embassy in Khartoum, Mohamed al-Gharawi.

It called for protecting diplomatic missions and their staff from the fighting in line with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Furthermore, the organization expressed its gratitude to Sudanese authorities for coordinating, securing, and facilitating the safe evacuation of members of diplomatic missions and Arab and foreign nationals.

The Arab League praised the efforts of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Algeria, and Morocco in evacuating their citizens and other Arab nationals, diplomats, and international missions.

It called for military forces or gunmen to leave hospitals and civilian facilities and for facilitating relief aid and humanitarian assistance to all Sudanese civilians and residents.

Arab League member states expressed their readiness to provide all forms of emergency humanitarian support, medical and food aid in coordination with Sudanese authorities and international and regional organizations.

The organization also praised the efforts of the member states and their initiatives towards reaching a ceasefire, and the humanitarian appeal by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit on April 19 for a truce.

He had appealed to warring sides to end the conflict and allow people to access food supplies and medical assistance.

The member states welcomed Aboul Gheit's call to hold an emergency session for the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs and another for the Council of Arab Ministers of Health to form a comprehensive Arab response to the crisis and its humanitarian and health repercussions.

According to the Middle East News Agency (MENA), the Arab League called on the international community to provide all urgent humanitarian needs and provide support to Sudan's neighboring countries that are receiving Sudanese fleeing the fighting.

The League stressed the need to resolve the crisis in a way that guarantees Sudan's security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, protects its institutions and fulfills the aspirations of its people for peace and development.

It stressed its rejection of foreign interference in Sudan's domestic affairs to avoid fueling the conflict, prolonging the crisis, and threatening regional peace and security.



Senior Russian Delegation to Visit Syria for Talks on Future Ties

Fighters from Syria's new leadership stand at a checkpoint near the entrance of the Hmeimim military base in Latakia province, December 29, 2024. (AFP)
Fighters from Syria's new leadership stand at a checkpoint near the entrance of the Hmeimim military base in Latakia province, December 29, 2024. (AFP)
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Senior Russian Delegation to Visit Syria for Talks on Future Ties

Fighters from Syria's new leadership stand at a checkpoint near the entrance of the Hmeimim military base in Latakia province, December 29, 2024. (AFP)
Fighters from Syria's new leadership stand at a checkpoint near the entrance of the Hmeimim military base in Latakia province, December 29, 2024. (AFP)

An informed Russian source told Asharq Al-Awsat that a high-level Russian delegation is set to arrive in Damascus “in the near future” to initiate comprehensive talks addressing all issues on the agenda of both sides.

The delegation, headed by Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East and North Africa, will include representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, officials from the government’s economic sector, and members of various other institutions and sectors.

Preparations were made for talks with Syria’s new leadership, including meetings with de factor ruler Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani and other officials.

Until now, communication between the two sides was limited to closed military and diplomatic channels.

The source said the visit’s arrangements are complete, with discussions set to focus on “building the foundations for future relations between the two countries.”

The Russian side has expressed interest in establishing a roadmap to advance relations and cooperation with Syria, the source added. During preparations for the visit, both sides agreed to launch broad discussions covering all issues of mutual interest.

Moscow and Damascus have exchanged positive messages about their future ties.

Al-Sharaa had emphasized the importance of cooperation with Russia, describing it as “the world’s second-strongest power” and highlighting Syria’s “strategic interests” with Moscow.

“We have long-term strategic relations with Russia, and we don’t want them to end in a way that disrespects their history with Syria,” Al-Sharaa said, referring to the possibility of Russian bases in Hmeimim and Tartus remaining temporarily, even as Moscow has begun withdrawing some equipment.

He added that the new administration is prioritizing “the interests of the Syrian people” and seeking to avoid conflicts with foreign nations.

He also noted that Moscow has not received any formal requests from the new authorities to review agreements governing its military presence in Hmeimim and Tartus.