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Arab League’s Zaki: Turkish, Iranian Meddling Crossed Red Lines

Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki
Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki
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Arab League’s Zaki: Turkish, Iranian Meddling Crossed Red Lines

Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki
Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki

Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki described the situation in the Arab world as very delicate and said it requires careful dealing so as not to have external interventions make matters worse.

At the same time, Zaki stressed it was too early to judge the results of protests in Iran and their impact on Lebanon and Iraq.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat Zaki also said that Turkish and Iranian interventions in the affairs of Arab countries have crossed red lines, urging inter-Arab reconciliation.

Zaki defended the performance of the Arab League against the heated criticism it is currently facing.

Speaking about external interference by regional states, such as Iran and Turkey, Zaki said: “The issue of meddling is particularly clear in the case of Iran, because it is evident in the way it has dealt with its Arab neighbors for years: exporting its revolution through creating, arming and using militias in times of crisis or even peace. This has made the atmosphere tense in several countries.”

As for Turkish intervention in the affairs of Arab states, Zaki said: “We have recently spotted a new and alarming course in Turkey’s behavior and it calls for an Arab stance.”

“What these two countries (Iran and Turkey) are doing has crossed all red lines,” he highlighted.

When asked about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent criticism of the Arab League, Zaki said: “The Arab League criticized the Turkish actions, but if the Turkish regime does not want to hear criticism of its practices, that’s up to it; because the Arab League will continue to make clear and explicit decisions on Turkish interventions.”

Erdogan had previously said that the Arab League is taking contradictory blunders as decisions.

On Syria, Zaki said: “The Arab League is prepared to interfere, but the question is whether there is willingness on the part of other parties for the League to play a role in the Syrian file.”

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.