Palestinian cause to take centre stage at Arab League summit
▶ Coastal city of Dammam will host dozens of heads of state, but it is uncertain whether Doha will show
The leaders of the Arab world will arrive in Saudi Arabia this week for the 29th Arab League summit, to be held in Dammam, where the Palestinian cause is likely to take centre stage.
The agenda will be set out in a preparatory meeting on Thursday in Riyadh, where the foreign ministers of the 22 countries are expected to meet.
But Syria’s membership has been suspended since November 2011 because of the civil war.
There are doubts as to whether Qatar’s leadership will attend. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain have placed bans on Doha over its support for terrorism and interference in the internal affairs of its neighbours.
Mahmoud Afifi, the official spokesman for the secretary general of the Arab League, said an invitation was sent to Doha to attend the meeting.
Turkey and Iran’s influence in the Arab world is also likely to hold prominent places on the agenda as both countries have been accused of meddling in Arab affairs.
Mr Afifi said those attending the Dammam summit will also address concerns in Syria, Libya and the unrest in Yemen.
“This meeting will come amid troubling times in the Arab World,” he said.
The heads of international and non-profit organisations are expected to attend. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the UN, is due to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
Mr Afifi said Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia would also be discussed during the preparatory meetings held in Riyadh, as would economic integration and the establishment of transnational institutions.
The Arab Summit has been a mainstay for regional politics, but this marks the first time Dammam hosts the meeting.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the head of the Arab League, said last week that his organisation wants the International Criminal Court in the Hague to investigate the recent deaths of 18 Palestinians during protests near Gaza’s border with Israel.
Mr Aboul Gheit said the Arab League supports Mr Guterres’ call for an independent investigation of the killings by Israeli forces.
Last Friday, thousands of Palestinians marched near the border fence between Israel and Gaza. Israel warns that those approaching the border are endangering their lives.
Mr Aboul Gheit said Palestinians were demanding their rights “and they will not be forgotten or diminished”.
He said he hoped that the killings would stop because the demonstrations will continue at least until May 15, the 70th anniversary of Israel’s creation.
Palestine, Syria, Iran and Turkey likely to top agenda at 29th Arab League Summit at Dammam, Saudi Arabia