​​​​​​​Arab specialists: Arab efforts can contribute to constructive dialogues regarding Syria

A few hours after the start of its activities on Friday, in the city of Jeddah, the thirty-second Arab summit concluded on the same day, in the presence of presidents, kings and princes of several Arab countries, including Bashar al-Assad, for the first time since 2010. The summit also witnessed the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Jeddah Declaration

Regarding the Syrian issue, the draft statement stressed the renewal of commitment to preserving the sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability of Syria, and the intensification of efforts to help it get out of its crisis, and end the suffering of the Syrian people.

The statement ignored the direct reference to Turkish and Iranian interference in the affairs of Arab countries, which observers attributed to the rapprochement in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia on the one hand, and Riyadh and Turkey on the other.

Assad and Zelensky

Although the summit is witnessing the return of the Damascus government for the first time, more than 12 years after its last participation in the Arab summit, what distinguished the Jeddah summit was the sudden presence of Ukrainian President Zelensky, a presence that some considered evidence of the continued strength of the American influence on the countries of the region despite its rapprochement with China and Russia recently.

Emirati expert in international relations, Dr. Salem al-Ketbi, believes that reading the closing statement of the Arab summit in Jeddah shows that the focus has been on several important issues for the Arab countries, such as the Palestinian issue and the challenges facing Sudan and Yemen.

He told ANHA’s agency: "Although Iran and Turkey's interference was not explicitly mentioned, the statement indicated the need to stop foreign interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries, and to reject support for the formation of militias and armed groups emerging outside the framework of the state. This reflects the interest in preserving the sovereignty and independence of Arab countries."

Syria back

As for the impact of this summit and the resumption of Arab relations with Syria on resolving the Syrian crisis, al Ketbi affirmed: "It could have a positive impact in strengthening Arab efforts to help Syria overcome the crisis."

He added, "In cooperation with Syria, the Arab countries can play a more effective role in reaching a comprehensive political solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people and guarantees the stability of the region. However, it is necessary for there to be strong political will and effective cooperation among the Arab countries to achieve this."

Regarding the ability of the Arab countries to solve the Syrian crisis without referring to Washington and its sanctions, the Emirati expert considered that: "This depends on the self-capacity and effective coordination between the Arab countries." He stressed that: "The Arab countries must adopt a unified and cooperative strategy to solve the Syrian crisis, and strengthen Arab diplomacy to communicate directly with the parties concerned in the conflict."

Syrian-Syrian dialogue under Arab sponsorship

Al-Ketbi believes that: "Arab efforts could include supporting the negotiation process between the Syrian government and the opposition, and encouraging constructive dialogues to reach a comprehensive political settlement." Moreover, the Arab countries can play an effective role in providing humanitarian and economic support to the Syrian people, by strengthening humanitarian efforts to provide the necessary assistance to those affected by the conflict, and by promoting Arab investments in Syria to enhance the reconstruction process and provide job opportunities.

Arab countries, according to the Emirati expert, can also: "cooperate in exchanging information and intelligence to combat security threats in the region, including combating terrorism and extremism, which requires uniting efforts, strengthening security cooperation between Arab countries, and exchanging experiences and successful practices in this regard."

He pointed out that despite the challenges facing the Arab countries in resolving the Syrian crisis without relying on Washington and its sanctions, joint action and regional integration among Arab countries can enhance their ability to influence the political and economic conditions in the region, and achieve real progress towards a peaceful and sustainable solution. to the Syrian crisis.

The Saudi-Iranian agreement

For his part, the Egyptian researcher in international affairs, Mohammed Shaat, believes that: "The final statement of the Arab summit did not explicitly refer to the Turkish and Iranian interference because there are attempts to calm down with the regional parties and overcome differences, and there are attempts by Turkey and Iran to rapprochement with the countries of the region in light of the crises they are suffering from." Including both countries, in addition to the fact that the current stage we can call it a stage of testing behavior, especially after the Saudi-Iranian agreement, and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, explicitly referred in his speech to this interference.

Mohammad Shaat told ANHA’s agency: "What is important with regard to Turkey and Iran is the sponsorship of the militias, which was mentioned in the final statement, which emphasized that no form of sponsorship of the militias should be allowed."

With regard to the return of Syria to the League of Arab States, the researcher believes: "It is the beginning of a solution to the crisis. In the event that there is an Arab consensus to confront the Syrian crisis, this consensus will undoubtedly help in easing the crisis at least, and it will be positively reflected if the Syrian regime takes steps to reunite that are supported by the Arabs, and of course Washington and its sanctions will be an obstacle to fully resolving the crisis, especially with regard to reconstruction, but in the future there may be understandings between Washington and the active countries in the region to solve the crisis. Therefore, the Syrian return to the university is the beginning of a solution to the crisis, not a complete solution."

T/ Satt.

ANHA