Algeria Expects Record Attendance of Arab Leaders in Upcoming Summit

Algiers completes logistical and security preparations to host the Arab summit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Algiers completes logistical and security preparations to host the Arab summit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Algeria Expects Record Attendance of Arab Leaders in Upcoming Summit

Algiers completes logistical and security preparations to host the Arab summit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Algiers completes logistical and security preparations to host the Arab summit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Seventeen Arab leaders are expected to participate in the upcoming 31st Arab Summit, which will be held in Algiers on Nov. 1-2, according to Algerian media.

All About Algeria e-newspaper underlined the attendance of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and his son Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, in light of the unprecedented diplomatic tension between the two countries.

Algeria severed ties with Morocco in August 2021, accusing Rabat of supporting two organizations it described as “terrorist” and of “hostile acts,” a move which Morocco said was “completely unjustified.”

All eyes are expected to focus on the King’s agenda during his stay in Algiers, who will be at his reception at the airport and whether he will meet with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

The newspaper said Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani are among the distinguished guests.

In addition to the Arab leaders, other attendees include Senegal’s President Macky Sall and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, in his capacity as the Head of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha will also attend the upcoming event.

The Algerian media affirmed that prominent figures will take part in the summit for the first time in many years.

In this regard, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit confirmed in an interview with Algerian state radio that the Arab summit “will see a remarkable presence of a large number of Arab leaders.”

He pointed out that a “consultation group” will be formed among the Arab leaders, to discuss various issues that benefit “unification.”

In remarks about the Summit’s agenda and the prioritized subjects, Aboul Gheit said, without elaborating, that talks will focus on rescuing the Arab countries that are facing foreign interventions, settling regional disputes and resolving several outstanding matters.

He stressed that the preparations are going according to the plan, pointing to the great efforts to make the summit a success.



Hezbollah Chief Urges Lebanese State to ‘Deal Firmly' with Israel’s Violations

FILE PHOTO: Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem delivers an address from an unknown location, November 29, 2024, in this still image from video. Al Manar TV/Reuters TV via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem delivers an address from an unknown location, November 29, 2024, in this still image from video. Al Manar TV/Reuters TV via REUTERS
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Hezbollah Chief Urges Lebanese State to ‘Deal Firmly' with Israel’s Violations

FILE PHOTO: Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem delivers an address from an unknown location, November 29, 2024, in this still image from video. Al Manar TV/Reuters TV via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem delivers an address from an unknown location, November 29, 2024, in this still image from video. Al Manar TV/Reuters TV via REUTERS

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Saturday called on the Lebanese state to “deal firmly” with Israeli violations.

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in a conflict parallel to the Gaza war in November. That ceasefire, which was brokered by the United States and France, requires Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days, and for Hezbollah to remove all its fighters and weapons from the south.

Both sides have since accused each other of breaching the ceasefire.

"Don't test our patience and I call on the Lebanese state to deal firmly with these violations that have exceeded 100," Qassem said.

He also congratulated Palestinians over the Gaza ceasefire deal, saying in a speech that it proved the "persistence of resistance" against Israel.

The remarks were the first in public by the leader of the Iran-backed Lebanese group since Israel and Hamas reached the accord on Wednesday.

"This deal, which was unchanged from what was proposed in May 2024, proves the persistence of resistance groups, which took what they wanted while Israel was not able to take what it sought," he said.
Qassem also referred to the election of Lebanon's new president, Joseph Aoun, who commanded the Lebanese military until parliament elected him as head of state on Jan.9.

"Our contribution as Hezbollah and the Amal movement led to the election of the new president with consensus," Qassem said.

The nomination of Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam had angered Hezbollah, which accused opponents of seeking to exclude it.

Salam was nominated by a majority of lawmakers last week to form a government but did not win the backing of the Shiite parties Hezbollah and Speaker Nabih Berri’s Amal Movement.

Salam said the formation of a new government would not be delayed, indicating a positive atmosphere in discussions over its composition.