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The National
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Syria's Al Shara to skip Arab Summit in Iraq after protests over invitation
Syrian leader Ahmad Al Shara will not travel to Baghdad for the Arab Summit this weekend, Syrian state media has reported, after an invitation from Iraq's Prime Minister sparked protests over his Al Qaeda past. Syria's delegation will instead be led by Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani, state-owned channel Ekhbariya TV said on Monday. Many Iraqis object to Mr Al Shara's history with Al Qaeda in Iraq, where he served as a senior field leader for the extremist group fighting US and Iraqi troops after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Rallies have been taking place across Iraq in recent weeks since Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani invited Mr Al Shara to Saturday's event, which will be Baghdad's first time hosting Arab League leaders in more than a decade. The Iraqi capital has issued a ban on protests in the run-up to the summit, with the Interior Ministry saying security forces will arrest anyone breaking the order. The annual Arab Summit comes at a critical time for the region, as Israel's war on Gaza intensifies, and Iran and the US hold talks in an attempt to reach a deal on curbing Tehran's nuclear programme. The event is expected to focus on Gaza reconstruction. For the Iraqi government, the summit is a way to underline the return of Baghdad to a central role in the Middle East after decades of war and political isolation. But the Iraqi Prime Minister has faced widespread criticism for inviting Mr Al Shara, whose Hayat Tahrir Al Sham group seized power in Damascus last December in a rebel offensive that toppled former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad. Mr Al Shara was one of thousands of foreign fighters who travelled to Iraq after the 2003 US invasion, mainly through Syria. American troops arrested him in 2005 and he was released about six years later. He then returned to Syria and formed an Al Qaeda-affiliated rebel group fighting against Mr Al Assad's troops. He broke ties with Al Qaeda in 2016 and formed HTS. Mr Al Shara's decision not to attend the summit highlights Syria's mixed results establishing ties across the region since he took power last year. He has made rapid inroads with Gulf Arab states including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but has tread more carefully with others where Iran has had strong influence, such as Iraq.
Asharq Al-Awsat
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Syria's Sharaa Skips Iraq Summit After Firestorm Over Invitation
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will not attend the Arab League Summit in Baghdad this weekend, Syrian state media said on Monday, after Iraq's invitation spurred criticism from pro-Iran groups. Syria's delegation to Saturday's summit will be headed by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, state-owned Ekhbariya TV reported, without providing a reason for Sharaa's absence. The summit is expected to focus on Gaza reconstruction and the Palestinian issue. Sharaa's decision highlighted Syria's mixed results establishing ties across the region after former President Bashar al-Assad's ouster last year. Sharaa has made rapid inroads with Gulf Arab states Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but has tread more carefully with others where Iran has had strong influence, like Iraq. Several influential Iraqi politicians had voiced opposition to Sharaa's visit. They include former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, a leading member of Iraq's main pro-Iran coalition that holds a parliamentary majority. Armed groups aligned with Tehran had also joined the call against Sharaa, including the Kataeb Hezbollah faction, which previously fought in Syria alongside Assad's forces. Sharaa fought with Al-Qaeda in Iraq after the US-led invasion in 2003. He was imprisoned there for more than five years, then released for lack of evidence in 2011, according to a senior Iraqi security official. Several Iraqi security sources told AFP that an old arrest warrant for Sharaa from his time as a member of Al-Qaeda remains in place. However, authorities seek good relations with Syria's new leadership to help maintain regional stability, the sources said. Sunni politicians largely welcomed Sharaa's participation in the summit as a step towards pulling Iraq away from Iran and towards the Arab fold. "There are elements... working against Iraq's progress to reclaim its rightful place within the Arab community," said Raad al-Dahlaki, head of Azm Alliance, a major Sunni bloc in Iraq's parliament.
Reuters
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Syria's Sharaa skips Iraq summit after firestorm over invitation
BAGHDAD/DAMASCUS May 12 (Reuters) - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will not attend the Arab League Summit in Baghdad this weekend, Syrian state media said on Monday, after Iraq's invitation spurred controversy over the rebel-turned-leader's potential return to a country where he fought and was jailed. Syria's delegation to Saturday's summit will be headed by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, state-owned Ekhbariya TV reported, without providing a reason for Sharaa's absence. The summit is expected to focus on Gaza reconstruction and the Palestinian issue. Sharaa's decision highlighted Syria's mixed results establishing ties across the region after former President Bashar al-Assad's ouster last year. Sharaa has made rapid inroads with Sunni-majority Gulf Arab states Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but has tread more carefully with others where Iran has had strong influence, like Shi'ite-majority Iraq. Sharaa fought with Al Qaeda in Iraq after the U.S-led invasion in 2003. He was imprisoned there for more than five years, then released for lack of evidence in 2011, according to a senior Iraqi security official. He then opened Al Qaeda's branch in Syria, breaking away in 2016 to form what became Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that ousted Assad. Iraq's prime minister invited Sharaa last month to the summit, prompting criticism from mainly Shi'ite Muslim factions who accuse Sharaa of orchestrating attacks against Shi'ites during his years in Iraq. At least 57 Shi'ite lawmakers in Iraq's 329-member legislature petitioned the government to bar Sharaa from the summit, a copy of the request seen by Reuters showed. Rumours circulated that he could face an arrest warrant, but Iraqi authorities denied this. Sunni politicians largely welcomed his participation in the summit as a step towards pulling Iraq away from Iran and towards Arab states, who have largely backed Sharaa. "There are elements... working against Iraq's progress to reclaim its rightful place within the Arab community," said Raad al-Dahlaki, head of Azm Alliance, a major Sunni bloc in Iraq's parliament. Analysts view Iraq as the last strong pillar in Iran's so-called Axis of Resistance after Assad's ouster and Israel's degrading of Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Some Syrians were also concerned that Sharaa could face danger in Iraq. For his Iraqi critics, "it's not going to be easy for them to digest, nor for the Syrian secret service to disregard those threats," said Mahmoud Toron, an analyst close to the Syrian government.
Leaders
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Foreign Minister Begins Official Visit to Qatar
Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Doha today for an official visit to the State of Qatar. During his visit, Prince Faisal will lead the Saudi delegation at the Executive Committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed by Ahmad Hassen Al-Hammadi, Secretary-General of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan, the Saudi Ambassador to Qatar. Related Topics : Arab FMs, US Mideast Envoy Discuss Gaza Reconstruction in Doha Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrives in Tehran Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award: Strengthening Saudi-Chinese Cultural Ties Crown Prince Meets Egyptian Prime Minister Short link : Post Views: 28 Related Stories
Daily News Egypt
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Tahya Misr Fund launches massive aid shipment to Gaza
Egypt's Tahya Misr Fund launched the largest comprehensive humanitarian aid convoy to the Gaza Strip from the People's Square in the New Administrative Capital, on Sunday. The convoy, comprising more than 460 trucks carrying over 7,200 tons of supplies, comes in response to President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's directives to support the Palestinian people. The supplies include food, essential commodities and medical necessities, sent ahead of Ramadan. Tamer Abdel Fattah, executive director of the Tahya Misr Fund, said the aid drive demonstrates Egyptian solidarity and cooperation with Palestinians. He said the fund had worked with government agencies, the private sector, civil society organisations and business people to organise the urgent aid. Kamel El-Wazir, deputy prime minister for industrial development and minister of industry and transport, and Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, deputy prime minister and minister of health and population, attended the launch of the aid convoy. Ashraf Sobhy, minister of youth and sports; Amr Talaat, minister of communications and information technology; Sherif El-Sherbiny, minister of housing, utilities, and urban communities; Manal Awad, minister of local development; Sherif Farouk, minister of supply; Maya Morsi, minister of social solidarity and Alaa Farouk, minister of agriculture and land reclamation, as well as a number of governors, business people, and representatives of civil society organisations and NGOs, were also present. According to Abdel Fattah, the aid convoys were prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Local Development and the governorates and will be launched in three phases: Phase One: Launched Sunday from the governorates of Cairo, Giza, Qalyubia, Matrouh, Suez, South Sinai, North Sinai, Ismailia, Sharqia, and New Valley. Phase Two: From the governorates of Alexandria, Beheira, Matrouh, Dakahlia, Damietta, Kafr El-Sheikh, Gharbia, and Monufia. Phase Three: From the governorates of Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Assiut, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, Aswan, and Red Sea. Abdel Fattah said the convoy included medical supplies and essential medicines, as well as dry food items such as rice, pasta, vermicelli, sugar, oil, tea, dates, and cheese. A variety of drinks, tents, clothes, quilts, blankets, carpets, personal hygiene items and shelter kits were also supplied. Abdel Fattah said the convoy was also supplied with large quantities of tents capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions, and clothes to meet the needs of all age groups in response to the increasing needs of the Palestinian people. Abdel Fattah noted that the work on the convoy saw a wide turnout of young volunteers who wanted to contribute to the humanitarian mission. Abdel Fattah affirmed the relief convoys demonstrated the Egyptian state's commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, and that supporting Gaza was a humanitarian duty. The Tahya Misr Fund has activated an account named (037037 – Gaza Reconstruction) in all Egyptian banks to receive contributions from inside and outside Egypt for reconstruction. Contributions can also be made online via the website The Tahya Misr Fund sent aid convoys to the Gaza Strip in January 2025, consisting of 305 'trailer' trucks carrying more than 4,200 tons of aid, and 11 ambulances, as well as in 2024, consisting of 507 trucks loaded with more than 8,000 tons of humanitarian aid and two ambulances, and in 2021, which consisted of 130 trucks. The Gaza Strip support convoys are one of the activities of the strategic axis 'Confronting Disasters and Crises' to alleviate the suffering of those affected, strengthen the spirit of solidarity and cohesion between peoples, and maximize the role of civil society in various fields.
