Latest news with #34thArabSummit
Maroc
2 days ago
- Politics
- Maroc
Technical Delegation from Morocco's Foreign Ministry Visits Syria to Operationalize Royal Decision to Reopen Embassy in Damascus
In line with the decision of HM King Mohammed VI to reopen the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Damascus, a technical delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates visited the Syrian capital to finalize the necessary arrangements for the embassy's reopening. During the visit, the Moroccan delegation held discussions with senior officials from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, focusing on the logistical, legal, and diplomatic components required to operationalize this decision. These talks form part of the implementation of the High Royal Instructions aimed at restoring full diplomatic relations between the two brotherly nations. It is worth recalling that HM King Mohammed VI announced the decision to reopen Morocco's embassy in Damascus during His speech to the 34th Arab Summit, held on May 17 in Baghdad. The embassy had remained closed since 2012. In His speech, the Sovereign emphasized that this step 'will contribute to opening up broader prospects for the historical bilateral relations between our countries and our peoples in the two sister nations.' MAP: 27 mai 2025
Al-Ahram Weekly
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Gaza war dominates the Arab Summit - World - Al-Ahram Weekly
Many Gulf leaders skipped this week's Arab Summit focusing on the Israeli war on Gaza just days after welcoming US President Donald Trump to the region In its final communiqué, the 34th Arab Summit hosted in the Iraqi capital Baghdad this week reiterated the unanimous Arab position of rejecting any displacement of the Palestinians from Gaza and vowing to start the reconstruction of the Strip once the Israeli war stops. The closing statement of the summit said that 'we reaffirm our categorical rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people and stress the urgent need to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.' It also urged the international community to intensify pressure aimed at ending the bloodshed in Gaza. The leaders present at the summit highlighted the urgent need for a political solution to be found to halt the devastating conflict in Sudan and also condemned the 'Zionist aggression against Syria.' The statement concluded by saying that 'the purpose of the Arab Summit is to unify our efforts and serve the interests of the peoples of our region.' However, only a handful of Arab leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, attended the Arab Summit in Baghdad. Even Lebanon, whose president has never missed a summit, was represented by the prime minister. The Saudi delegation to was led by a deputy foreign minister, while Syrian Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa did not attend. Al-Sharaa is pursuing regional rehabilitation after the regime change in Damascus late last year. However, according to reports Al-Sharaa decided not to go to Baghdad since he is 'wanted' in Iraq on charges of being involved in conflicts led by Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) in the country before moving to Syria. The Arab Summit hosted Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who reiterated the UN's refusal to partake in 'so-called aid operations' that do not adhere to international and humanitarian law. He was referring to a disputed US and Israel-backed plan to take aid into Gaza by creating special zones and using private contractors and bypassing the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA. The UN and other international organisations have said the plan endangers civilians and encourages their displacement. Guterres also repeated criticisms of Israel's annexation and expansion of settlements in the Occupied West Bank. Sanchez devoted the majority of his remarks to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, describing the situation as 'intolerable and a violation of all humanitarian and international legal norms.' 'What is happening in Gaza and the West Bank cannot be ignored, neither in Europe, nor anywhere else in the world… Redrawing the map of the Middle East by force will awaken the darkest nightmares of our past,' Sanchez said. 'The time has come to recognise the two-state solution,' he said, adding that 'only a united Arab and European front will pave the way for recognition and peace.' Sanchez also announced that Spain will host a ministerial meeting of the Madrid Group this week that brings together countries aligned on the recognition of Palestine. 'This initiative will reflect our unwavering commitment to advancing peace... Spain stands as a steadfast ally for multilateralism, the only path to lasting peace in the Middle East,' he said. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi said in his speech that 'even if Israel succeeds in forging normalisation agreements with all the Arab states, a durable, just, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East will remain fundamentally unattainable without the establishment of a Palestinian state in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy.' He urged US President Donald Trump to 'make all the necessary efforts' to reach a truce in Gaza. Egypt hosted a summit meeting on Gaza in Cairo some months ago where the Arab leaders agreed on establishing a reconstruction fund for the Strip, but continued Israeli aggression has delayed efforts to rebuild Gaza. President Al-Sisi told the Baghdad Summit meeting this week that Egypt, in coordination with Qatar and the US, is 'exerting intense efforts to reach a ceasefire' in Gaza, adding that Egypt plans to hold an international conference for the reconstruction of Gaza 'once the aggression stops'. He described Israel's actions as 'systematic crimes' aimed at 'obliterating and annihilating' the Palestinians and 'ending their existence in the Gaza Strip.' Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani called for allowing aid to flow into Gaza. He added that Iraq will work on setting up an Arab fund for the reconstruction of the region to which Baghdad will pay $20 million for Gaza and a similar amount for Lebanon. The fund is expected to total around $50 billion. Al-Sudani said of the war on Gaza that 'this genocide has reached levels of ugliness not seen in conflicts throughout history.' 'We have called, and continue to call, for serious and responsible Arab action to save Gaza and reactivate UNRWA,' he said The Qatari Emir left the summit prematurely without delivering a speech, and no reason was given for his abrupt departure. However, he later wrote on X praising Baghdad's role in fostering an Arab consensus and joint action. 'The summit convened amid sensitive regional and global challenges that demand coordinated Arab and international responses,' he wrote, voicing optimism that the event's conclusions 'would advance integration across key sectors.' Among the six Arab leaders who participated in the Baghdad Summit was Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who called on Hamas to abandon power in Gaza, along with other militant groups, and to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority (PA). This is the first time that Iraq has hosted an Arab Summit meeting since 2012. After the Summit, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein noted that it had 'reflected growing consensus among member states and rejected foreign interference in regional affairs.' Speaking at a joint press conference with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul-Gheit, Hussein pointed out that the summit had produced a set of decisions shaped by extensive discussions and resulting in 'converging positions on key political, economic, and social issues.' He added that 'Iraq is committed to following through on summit resolutions within the appropriate political frameworks.' In its coverage of the summit, the Israeli media focused on the speeches of the Egyptian President and Spanish Prime Minister and their criticisms of Israeli aggression and crimes against the Palestinians. * A version of this article appears in print in the 22 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Iraqi News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani Meets with the President of the Republic
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met with President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid. Media Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement obtained by the Iraqi News Agency INA that Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Tuesday, with President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid. The statement read 'The meeting included a discussion of the topics and issues raised during the 34th Arab Summit in Baghdad, along with the resolutions and recommendations that were issued. They affirmed the importance of working to implement these outcomes in a way that fulfills the Arab Summit's goals and contributes to establishing security and stability in the region.' It further said 'The meeting emphasized the need for continued efforts to strengthen Iraq's role in the region and to work toward unifying the Arab position on matters of regional and global importance, thereby reinforcing the foundations of peace at both the regional and international levels. Praise was also extended to all parties involved for their efforts in ensuring the success of the Arab Summit.' The statement added 'The meeting also reviewed regional and international developments and Iraq's position on them, as well as Iraq's role in addressing regional issues. The meeting further addressed the domestic situation, highlighting the importance of maintaining stability and advancing service and development sectors to meet the aspirations of the Iraqi people.'
Iraqi News
19-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq seeks cooperation with Nokia on digital transformation
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, said on Monday that Iraq is eager to continue working with Nokia to secure the infrastructure for the digital transformation initiative in government agencies, as well as across several industries. Al-Sudani's remarks took place during his meeting with the Finnish Ambassador to Iraq, Anu Saarela, and officials from Finland-based Nokia, which specializes in telecommunications and information technology, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The Iraqi prime minister stated that the government has created a framework for the necessary legislation, established institutions focused on the advancement of this technology, and supplied the required equipment. Additionally, Iraq presented significant initiatives on digital transformation and artificial intelligence at the 34th Arab Summit, according to Al-Sudani. The PMO said earlier that Iraq's digital transformation is an essential part of the country's plan for digital business and artificial intelligence. During his meeting in November with the Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Deemah AlYahya, Al-Sudani emphasized that the government has included digital transformation in its economic and administrative reforms, as well as electronic payments. Al-Sudani discussed the government's ability to make a significant shift in this area as well as its readiness to work with the DCO to create projects that help Iraq and the region in the framework of digital transformation and artificial intelligence. In March, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Ali Al-Alaq, revealed that the government is developing a plan for a full-scale digital transformation. In a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Alaq clarified that the government is operating in accordance with a strategy aiming to shift to a digital government. He noted that Iraqi ministries will take the lead, as actions have already been taken, initiatives have been introduced, and a data center has been established. Paper transactions at the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) have decreased by 50 percent over the past year and are expected to be eliminated soon, according to Al-Alaq. The Iraqi official added that a digital currency is being developed by the CBI, noting that collaboration is ongoing with Arab and international organizations, as well as the Arab Monetary Fund, on this significant project. In February, Al-Alaq revealed that the CBI is planning to create a digital currency to replace paper notes in transactions with central banks.
Iraqi News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Al-Sudani meets with the New Commander of NATO Mission in Iraq
Baghdad-INA Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Monday, with the new Commander of the NATO Mission in Iraq, Major General Christophe Hintzy, in the presence of the outgoing Commander, Lieutenant General Lucas Schreurs. The Prime Minister's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA):'The Prime Minister welcomed Major General Hintzy and expressed his appreciation for Lieutenant General Schreurs' efforts during his tenure as Commander of the NATO Mission in Iraq,he reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to maintaining its strong relationship with NATO, as established during the High-Level Dialogue held in Brussels last year, and noted the ongoing preparations for the second round of the dialogue to be hosted in Baghdad.' Prime Minister Al-Sudani directed,' that all necessary support and facilitation be provided to the NATO Mission to ensure the success of its advisory role and the development of an effective partnership based on joint planning and coordination.' For his part, Lieutenant General Schreurs congratulated the Prime Minister on Iraq's successful hosting of the 34th Arab Summit and praised the country's ongoing efforts in construction, infrastructure development, and economic advancement that contribute to regional stability. He also expressed gratitude for Iraq's continued support to the NATO Mission, affirming NATO's commitment to sustained coordination and cooperation with Iraqi military and security institutions through expertise sharing, advisory services, and capacity-building.
