Unpacking al-Assad and Zelenksy’s participation in the Arab Summithttps://en.majalla.com/node/291801/politics/unpacking-al-assad-and-zelenksy%E2%80%99s-participation-arab-summit
Unpacking al-Assad and Zelenksy’s participation in the Arab Summit
The Arab League which, in the past, had been criticised for not effectively addressing Arab crises, is now stepping up to the plate and asserting its role, while also maintaining a neutral position in international and regional conflicts
Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at the Arab summit in Jeddah.
Unpacking al-Assad and Zelenksy’s participation in the Arab Summit
The final communique of the 32nd Arab summit held in Jeddah reflected the significant changes that have taken place in the region, which has redefined the priorities of Arab states.
The summit agenda covered the Palestinian cause, the Syrian crisis, the Lebanese situation and Iran, along with the explosive war that has erupted in Sudan. Additionally, the leaders discussed issues related to cybersecurity, the economy and social matters.
It is evident that the Arab landscape prior to the Jeddah summit differs greatly from the one after it. The transformation between these two phases cannot be solely evaluated based on the desired changes or the potential consequences that are still unfolding in terms of security and political stability across multiple regions.
There are indications of an emerging new system of international relations, and perhaps even the formation of a new international order.
In recent months, the region has witnessed a series of unprecedented events that have reshaped the political landscape. It all began with the signing of the Chinese-sponsored agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, on 10 March 2023.
In recent months, the region has witnessed a series of unprecedented events that have reshaped the political landscape. It all began with the signing of the Chinese-sponsored agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, on 10 March 2023.
Subsequently, the Kingdom initiated a diplomatic offensive, spearheaded by its foreign minister, who embarked on visits to Tunisia, Algeria, Damascus, Riyadh, Oman, Baghdad, Cairo, and Abu Dhabi.
These tireless efforts produced significant results, as evidenced by the decision of Arab foreign ministers to readmit Syria into the League of Arab States (LAS).
Additionally, they established a follow-up committee to implement the "step-by-step" policy and extended an invitation to President Bashar al-Assad to participate in the 32nd Arab Summit.
American opposition
Despite sharp criticism from the US administration, the Arab League proceeded with its decision to readmit Syria.
The US State Department spokesperson, Vedant Patel, said openly: "We do not believe that Syria merits readmission to the Arab League at this time, and it's a point that we've made clear with all of our partners."
The sentiment was echoed by the Foreign Affairs Committee in the US House of Representatives, emphasising that Syria's return would be a "fatal strategic mistake" that could embolden al-Assad, Russia, and Iran to continue perpetrating atrocities against civilians and destabilising the Middle East.
This decision has raised concerns among certain regional and international decision-making centres, suggesting a potential shift in Arab countries distancing themselves from their Western allies and aligning more closely with China, Russia, and Iran.
Proactive Arab diplomacy
Arab diplomacy extended beyond involvement in regional crises, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia playing a role in the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan made an official visit to Kyiv, marking the first visit by an Arab official since the outbreak of the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) is seen shaking hands with Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud (R) prior to their talks in Kyiv on February 26, 2023.
During the visit, he signed agreements and memoranda of understanding, amounting to $400 million for humanitarian aid and financing oil derivatives. Moreover, Saudi Arabia helped to facilitate a successful prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
Following the visit to Kyiv, the Saudi Foreign Minister met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow to discuss the Ukrainian crisis, expressing his country's readiness to take necessary steps to resolve the conflict.
This diplomatic involvement in international and regional crises, surpassing previous levels of engagement, indicates that the core of leading Arab countries, along with the Arab League, aspires not only to adapt to the new international relations system but also to proactively contribute to its formulation.
This diplomatic involvement in international and regional crises aspires not only to adapt to the new international relations system but also to proactively contribute to its formulation.
These Arab states aim to establish a new understanding that rearranges Arab, regional, and international priorities, with the Arab League playing a more active role in mediating various international and regional crises.
A responsible approach to conflict management
The Arab League which, in the past, had been criticised for not effectively addressing Arab crises, is now stepping up to the plate and asserting its role, while also maintaining a neutral position in international and regional conflicts.
Arab states will refrain from intervening in internal Arab conflicts but will help facilitate dialogue between the conflicting parties as the sole means for conflict resolution. This approach aims to ensure the neutrality of the Arab League.
Its engagement in crises, whether in Sudan, Syria, or Lebanon, is guided by preserving Arab nationalism in its security, political, and economic dimensions. This approach aims to limit external interference and ensure responsible management of these crises.
The success of Arab diplomacy in abstaining from engaging in ongoing conflicts and contributing to conflict resolution or mitigating their impact has established a methodological framework for the summit, setting binding controls.
The summit did not allow any party to use its sessions for showmanship or consider Syria's return as an admission of past mistakes.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivers his speech to the Arab summit in Jeddah.
Some regional countries attempted to interpret the Iranian-Saudi agreement or the initiative for Syria's return to the league as indications of turning the league into a platform for rhetorical debates and renewing alignments within it.
Commitment to international balance
Meanwhile, the hosting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a guest of honour at the summit was not an attempt to refute American accusations of "heading east" levelled against Saudi Arabia and the Arab League — nor was it an attempt to overcompensate for their strategic policy decisions.
The hosting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not an attempt to refute American accusations of "heading east" levelled against Saudi Arabia.
President Bashar al-Assad's participation in the Jeddah meeting affirmed the league's commitment to the continuity, stability, territorial integrity, and national institutions of the nation-state. It signalled an end to armed conflicts and a return to political pathways.
Volodymyr Zelensky's participation reflected the league's balanced position in regional and international crises, showcasing its potential as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow.
It also emphasised the league's commitment to international balance in order to safeguard stability in future international conflicts.
