Arab League is a voice of conscience
How will the Arab League reconcile its many differences at its summit in Tunis? That’s the big question that the meeting of leaders from 22 countries will face in the Tunisian capital. Conflicts and strife continue to rage in member countries like Libya, Sudan, Algeria and Palestine. War is winding down in Syria that is seeking to return to the 70-year-old bloc’s fold after being out in the cold for close to eight years since 2011 when protests spread and consumed the country. The result was war, destruction and a humanitarian crisis that had global repercussions. Now that the worst violence is past, the country can hope to move on. But when? US President Donald Trump’s recognition of the occupied Golan Heights as Israeli territory has only complicated an already fragile and fraught situation in the Middle East. The decision, however, could give the Damascus government some leeway in the League. From an aggressor of eight years, it can now play the aggrieved party, the victim. Arab countries, including the UAE, have already condemned the US decision.
It gives President Bashar
Al Assad additional leverage to fast track his application to return to the group’s fold. Other members are not in a hurry and would prefer a wait-and-watch approach which is the best response to this development.
Common cause on Golan apart, which could be part of the declaration, there are newer crises emerging in Sudan and Algeria with mass protests spreading over basic necessities. The leaders of both the countries have decided to skip the meeting. Libya is riven between the East and the West and suffers from the lack of an effective central government. The core issue of Palestine is still far from resolution. Meanwhile, the Arab coalition has succeeded in pushing back Iranian influence in Yemen. Qatar continues to play truant as it plays by the terror rulebook. Despite these multiple crises, the Arab League must be commended for their show of unity. They proved it militarily on the ground in Yemen, and politically in Lebanon against a common foe Iran. Now is the time for consolidation of this unity. More importantly, the League remains the voice of conscience of the Arab people. It is about their hopes and aspirations. And that voice must be heard loud and clear.
They proved it militarily on the ground in Yemen, and politically in Lebanon against a common foe — Iran