Syrian president sends FM to Arab League summit in Baghdad
Also in Middle East
Turkey says its anti-PKK operations continue despite progress in peace process
Iraq, Jordan, Egypt discuss tripartite cooperation mechanisms
Trump to end US sanctions on Damascus, greet Syria's Sharaa in Saudi Arabia
Iran calls PKK decision to disband 'important step'
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in Baghdad on Friday for the Arab League summit. He is attending instead of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa whose invitation to the event was opposed by many in Iraq.
On arriving in the Iraqi capital, Shaibani told Iraqi state media that 'Syrian security is shared with Iraq, and we want coordination in various fields."
He added that during the summit he will emphasize the end of 'foreign interventions' in Syria.
The gathering of Arab leaders will be held on Saturday. Several high-profile figures, including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have already arrived in Baghdad to attend the 34th edition of the annual event.
Sharaa's office confirmed on Monday that Shaibani would represent Syria at the summit, ending weeks of speculation over whether Sharaa would attend.
Sharaa's decision to skip the summit follows controversy over his participation. On Monday night, protesters took to the streets in Iraq's Shiite-majority southern province of Basra, chanting slogans against Sharaa using his nom de guerre 'Jolani.' Demonstrators shouted, 'No, no to Jolani. No, no to terrorism.'
The new Syrian leader has jihadist roots. He was elected interim president in late January after a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - which he commanded before its dissolution and merger into the Syrian defense ministry - toppled the regime of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad.
While most Arab countries congratulated Sharaa on his appointment as president, Iraq withheld formal recognition, reflecting Baghdad's cautious stance toward the new leadership that has historic ties to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
25 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
EU sanctions Syrian factions over Coast massacres
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, the European Union imposed sanctions on three Syrian factions and two of their commanders, citing their involvement in deadly sectarian violence that swept parts of Syria in March. According to the EU's Official Journal, the sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans, targeting what the bloc described as 'arbitrary crimes' and acts of torture committed during attacks in several coastal cities and towns. The sanctioned groups—Sultan Murad, Suleiman Shah, and Hamza Division—were accused of orchestrating and carrying out atrocities. Commanders Mohammad Hussein al-Jassem (Suleiman Shah) and Saif Boullad Abu Bakr (Hamza) were named for 'serious human rights violations.' Earlier, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that over 1,700 people, mostly from the Alawite community, were killed during violence on March 7–8. In a parallel move, the EU also lifted its broader economic sanctions on Syria following a political agreement reached by foreign ministers last week. However, the EU Council said it would maintain restrictions on Assad-linked entities and measures tied to national security while keeping the door open for further targeted actions.
Iraq Business
35 minutes ago
- Iraq Business
Musk's SpaceX Explores Entry into Iraqi Market
By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with a delegation from U.S. tech giant SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp) to discuss cooperation in Iraq's communications sector. The talks covered the services provided by the company's Starlink satellite constellation, including its global satellite-based internet coverage, and explored opportunities to facilitate its entry into the Iraqi market. Prime Minister Al-Sudani highlighted Iraq's expanding urban and service development and said the country offers many promising investment opportunities. Reaffirming the importance of the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, Al-Sudani instructed relevant authorities to ease regulatory procedures and support SpaceX's operational setup. He stressed that Iraq welcomes major American technology firms as partners in advancing the government's digital transformation strategy. The SpaceX delegation expressed readiness to launch operations in Iraq, stating that Starlink's services would accelerate digital transformation, improve communications, and promote economic development across public and private sectors. (Source: PMO)
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's CF ‘uneasy' over three political shifts ahead of 2025 polls
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Home Front movement (Harak al-Bayt al-Iraqi) warned on Wednesday that the Coordination Framework (CF), a political alliance of predominantly Shiite parties, is growing increasingly uneasy over three key shifts that could upend the political landscape ahead of the November 2025 elections. Movement leader Muhyi al-Ansari told Shafaq News the CF fears the possible return of the Patriotic Shiite Movement (formerly the Sadrists), especially if it aligns with civil groups or Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, arguing such a coalition could seriously disrupt the current balance of power. Al-Ansari also criticized Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission for 'failing' to enforce the Political Parties Law, which prohibits armed factions from contesting elections—calling the lapse a 'direct constitutional breach.' The third concern, he noted, is growing public support for independents and technocrats, which threatens to weaken traditional political blocs. Several key figures have already announced their candidacies, including Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition; al-Sudani of the Euphrates Movement (Al-Furatain); Hadi al-Amiri, head of the Badr Organization; Former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi of the Progressive (Taqaddum) Party; and Mohsen al-Mandalawi, head of the National Foundation (Al-Asas) Coalition. Badr MP Mukhtar al-Mousawi called the upcoming vote 'difficult and decisive,' pointing to a trend among veteran leaders forming separate lists as Sudani distances himself from the CF. Analyst Mujashaa al-Tamimi told Shafaq News that the return of familiar names signals a tactical shift amid changing dynamics. 'Baghdad has become the focal point of political competition,' he said, warning that reformist forces could challenge entrenched elites. Meanwhile, the CF scrapped earlier plans to run fragmented slates and will now field joint lists in Diyala, Nineveh, and Saladin. The decision follows the formation of a new alliance—Qarar (Decision)—led by al-Sudani's al-Furatin Movement, al-Amiri's Badr Organization, and PMF chief Faleh al-Fayyadh.
