Latest news with #HossamZaki
Morocco World
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Arab League Believes in Two-State Solution's Ability to Bring Regional Peace
Rabat – Hossam Zaki, the Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League, said on Tuesday in Rabat that the two-state solution could bring regional peace to the Middle East. 'We still believe in this solution and continue to support it as the basis for peace in the Middle East,' he said during a press conference on Tuesday following the 5th meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. Morocco and the Netherlands organized the event as part of the preparatory campaign for the international conference that will take place in New York in June. Zaki recalled the situation in Gaza, where the Israeli Occupation Forces' (IOF) is waging an atrocious genocidal war, noting that Israeli forces also attempted to empty the region in defiance of international humanitarian law and the human values 'we are all supposed to share.' He said that Palestinians have the right to aspire to peace, independence and freedom, thanking Morocco for hosting the event and for its support for the Palestinian cause. Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita made similar remarks during the event, conveying Morocco's full support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. For Bourita, the two-state solution is not just a slogan or political tool, but a moral duty and a realistic political choice. 'Wars have been tried, violence has been used, but they never led to peace,' Bourita said, adding that it is time to turn this solution into a clear roadmap with specific steps. He also warned that some people don't want peace, arguing that 'extremists on both sides' feed on the 'conflict' and only pretend to support Palestinians without giving them real help. On Tuesday, the Palestinian Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faresin Aghabekian Shaheen conveyed Palestine's gratitude on Tuesday during her participation in the same event, thanking King Mohammed VI for his efforts in support of the Palestinian cause and the implementation of the two-state solution. She said that the holding of the event is part of Morocco's sustained efforts to make the State of Palestine a tangible reality. 'We place great hopes on this kind of meeting,' the minister said. Tags: Arab leagueMorocco and Palestinetwo-state solution
Asharq Al-Awsat
17-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Arab League Backs Joint Proposal for Post-Conflict Recovery Fund
Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki said on Friday that member states had reached consensus on an Iraqi proposal to establish a regional fund aimed at supporting recovery and reconstruction in countries emerging from conflict. Speaking ahead of the Arab League's 34th regular summit and the fifth Arab Development Summit set to convene in Baghdad on Saturday, Zaki welcomed what he described as a 'positive and constructive initiative,' adding that Iraq would begin injecting resources into the fund. 'This is a welcome development, and the summit will endorse it,' Zaki told reporters, noting that Iraq also floated a political initiative intended to facilitate dialogue on contentious issues between member states. Asked about the absence of several Arab leaders from the summit, Zaki downplayed its significance, saying that participation levels are a sovereign decision for each state. 'What matters is that all countries are represented. This gives decisions full legitimacy,' he said. 'Of course, the number of attending leaders is important, but this remains outside the purview of the League's Secretariat.' Among the absentees are Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose country will be represented by Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam will also lead his country's delegation. Zaki dismissed speculation that the United Arab Emirates had withdrawn from the summit, affirming that the Gulf state is participating at a 'very senior level.' However, he acknowledged the complexities of the ongoing rift between the UAE and Sudan, calling it a 'difficult and thorny issue' that demands high-level diplomatic engagement. 'This kind of dispute requires wisdom, the involvement of seasoned political and diplomatic figures, and a willingness from both parties to engage,' Zaki said. 'It may not be resolved during this summit, but we remain hopeful that progress will be made in the near future.' Zaki had previously told Asharq Al-Awsat that efforts to mend ties between the two countries had so far fallen short. Focus on Gaza Reconstruction and Economic Cooperation The summit's agenda includes a wide range of proposals aimed at bolstering Arab cooperation in economic, security, and political spheres, many of them introduced by Iraq. Addressing reconstruction plans for Gaza, Zaki reaffirmed that an initiative endorsed at an emergency summit in Cairo in March 2025 will proceed once hostilities end. 'The priority now is to stop the war and restore stability in Gaza,' he said. 'Only then can we move to the post-war phase and begin implementing reconstruction projects on the ground.' Zaki described the twin summits in Baghdad as critical opportunities for dialogue, particularly the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, the first of its kind since 2019 in Beirut. Commenting on the proliferation of summits amid persistent crises in the region, Zaki said the practice of holding annual Arab League meetings began only in 2000, marking a shift from ad hoc emergency gatherings. 'The regularity of these summits is a positive development,' he said. 'It allows member states to raise issues consistently and track the implementation of resolutions more effectively, ultimately enhancing political coordination across the Arab world.'
Iraqi News
12-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Arab League: Baghdad Summit expected decisions reflecting responses to crises
INA – BAGHDAD Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Hossam Zaki, affirmed on Monday that the resumption of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in Baghdad is extremely important, and its topics are equally important and political. "Baghdad will host two summits simultaneously, one political and the other developmental. We expect the issuance of decisions that reflect a real response to the crises," Zaki told the Iraqi News Agency - INA. He noted, "The upcoming summit meeting of the Arab League Council on May 17th is being held under exceptional Arab, regional, and international circumstances, which require the issuance of decisions that reflect a real response to the crises." "These circumstances require the summit to make decisions of a special nature. We expect to reach decisions that will truly meet public expectations. The Development Summit is being held in its fifth session. The first session was held in Kuwait, and the last session was held in Lebanon in 2019. After that, it was only held in Baghdad. Therefore, Baghdad is hosting two summits simultaneously," he explained. He added that "the Development Summit is dedicated to economic and social issues, which are no less important than the political issues that will be discussed at the meeting of leaders, kings, and presidents. The development summit includes extremely important issues that must be focused on." Zaki concluded by saying, "We are pleased that the Development Summit is being held and is returning to Baghdad. This is an excellent thing, and we congratulate Iraq for hosting it." Earlier today, a meeting of the Economic and Social Council was held in Baghdad at the senior officials level. This is a preparatory meeting for the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, scheduled to be held after the Arab League Council meeting at the summit level, with the attendance of Arab leaders, kings, and presidents.
Asharq Al-Awsat
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Zaki to Asharq Al-Awsat: Iraq Played its Part, up to Syria to Determine its Participation at Arab Summit
Iraq is hosting on May 17 a regular Arab League summit amid complex regional challenges and crises, including Israel's war on Gaza, the severing of relations between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates and some parties in Baghdad's wariness of the new rulers in Syria. Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Ambassador Hossam Zaki told Asharq Al-Awsat that efforts are underway to mend ties between Sudan and the UAE. He also hailed the Iraqi government's handling of Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's participation at the summit given the tensions between the neighbors following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December. The is the second Arab League regular summit that is held amid the war on Gaza, which demands that leaders come up with a 'cohesive Arab stance that takes into account the developments of the past months and which adopts Arab principles related to the Palestinian cause,' Zaki said. Since the last summit, US President Donald Trump unveiled his plan to transform Gaza into the 'Riviera of the Middle East,' which was vehemently rejected by Arab states. The countries countered by adopting a reconstruction plan for the enclave that ensures that its people remain in place. Israel has since reignited the war, complicating peace efforts. 'Israel is in control of the situation on the ground, making it difficult to challenge it through any means or decisions,' acknowledged Zaki. 'All we have is political and diplomatic work.' He recognized that political efforts are often doubted and dismissed, but they are actually 'very important because they allow the Palestinian cause to remain alive, while the other party tries to kill it.' 'Israel's attempts to mislead the public and distort facts can only be confronted by political and diplomatic work,' Zaki said. 'We must continue to forge ahead along this path and hope that time is on our side.' Several parties are banking on Washington to wield its influence on Israel to pressure it to stop the war. Zaki revealed that bilateral contacts are being held between Arab countries and the American administration in the hopes of achieving some form of breakthrough. 'It remains to be seen whether these contacts are a success,' he told Asharq Al-Awsat. Tensions between Sudan and the UAE will also weigh heavily on the Baghdad summit. The Sudanese government announced earlier this month that it was severing ties with Abu Dhabi over its support to the Rapid Support Forces in its war against the military. Zaki described the situation as 'difficult and thorny. It may not impact the overall work of the Arab League, but it will certainly impact discussions about the Sudanese crisis given the differences in positions.' Efforts are underway to help bridge the gap between Sudan and the UAE, but they have yet to yield the desired results, he revealed. On Syria, Zaki said the summit is significant because it will be the first since Assad's ouster. 'Syria is an important country, and it plays a traditional role in Arab affairs. At the same time, however, it is facing several challenges that are threatening its unity,' he noted. The Arab League had reinstated Syria's membership in May 2023 after it was suspended in 2011 when the Assad regime violently cracked down on peaceful anti-regime protests. Sharaa had taken part in an emergency Arab League summit in Cairo in March. His participation at the Baghdad summit has stirred controversy in Iraq given the strained ties between it and the new rulers in Damascus. Some parties in Iraq have openly opposed his participation. Zaki said that Iraq, as the host, has fulfilled its duty in inviting Syria to the summit. It is now up to Syria to determine who will represent it at the meeting. He did not reveal which leaders have confirmed their attendance of the summit, saying that the meeting does not gain importance with who shows up, but with what its outcomes are. It is important, however, that all countries are represented, he added.
Shafaq News
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Baghdad ready to host 34th Arab League Summit
Shafaq News/ Iraq is set to host the 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad on May 17, 2025, marking its most prominent regional diplomatic event in over a decade. Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirmed that preparations are already in motion, with officials anticipating the attendance of representatives from all 22 member states. The summit is poised to signal a renewed chapter in Iraq's regional diplomacy, reaffirming Baghdad's ambition to reclaim a central role in shaping Arab consensus. Logistics and Diplomatic Preparations For months, Baghdad has been steadily preparing for the upcoming Arab League Summit, with logistical efforts well underway. These preparations include arranging accommodations for heads of state and their delegations, finalizing the summit venue, and coordinating detailed diplomatic protocols. According to informed sources speaking to Shafaq News, Iraqi envoys have also been dispatched to several Arab capitals to brief leaders on the summit's agenda and outline the outcomes Iraq aims to achieve. The Arab League has been closely following Iraq's preparations. A delegation led by Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki recently visited Baghdad to review the technical and logistical arrangements. Sources familiar with the visit noted that the delegation expressed satisfaction with the progress, with no Arab leader expected to decline the invitation. Iraqi authorities have also unveiled a comprehensive security plan, including air surveillance, designated security zones, and coordination with neighboring countries to safeguard the event. 'These measures underscore Baghdad's commitment to not only navigating the political dimensions of the summit but also meeting the complex logistical and security demands of hosting such a high-profile gathering,' the source said. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed al-Sahhaf confirmed that Iraq has completed its initial coordination with the Arab League's General Secretariat. He characterized the summit as a 'key opportunity' for Iraq to deepen regional engagement and reaffirm its pivotal role in Arab diplomacy. 'Baghdad is determined to create an environment conducive to productive dialogue and consensus-building,' al-Sahhaf emphasized. In the lead-up to the event, Iraq is also set to host a series of preparatory ministerial meetings aimed at refining the summit's agenda, harmonizing national positions, and forming working groups to tackle urgent regional issues. These sessions, according to diplomatic sources, are intended to ensure that the summit goes beyond formality and delivers tangible outcomes. Political analyst Ghaleb al-Damimi framed the summit as a defining juncture for Iraq's regional standing. 'This is a pivotal moment for Iraq,' he observed, pointing to the country's ambition to reclaim a more assertive role in shaping Arab policy. 'Hosting the Arab League Summit reflects Iraq's renewed confidence and its desire to move beyond internal conflict toward constructive diplomacy,' he added. For al-Damimi, the summit signals that Iraq 'is no longer merely a recipient of regional dynamics but an active shaper of them.' Iraq's Path Back to Regional Relevance Baghdad's renewed diplomatic momentum reflects an ongoing effort to re-establish Iraq's regional standing after years of internal unrest and disengagement. The last time Iraq hosted the Arab League Summit was in March 2012, under then-Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. That summit, convened amid tight security, was the first held in Iraq in more than two decades. It was widely seen as a symbolic step toward reintegrating the country into Arab affairs following the 2003 US-led invasion and its long aftermath of instability. Since 2021, Iraq has intensified its regional outreach through the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership. The inaugural edition in August 2021 focused on easing tensions among rival regional powers, while the second, hosted in 2022, aimed to deepen economic ties and enhance collective security. Both gatherings attracted a diverse group of participants, including France, Iran, Turkiye, and multiple Gulf states, reflecting Iraq's ambition to serve as a neutral ground for dialogue. Analysts view these summits as part of a broader strategy by successive Iraqi governments to present the country as a pragmatic mediator capable of bridging longstanding divides. Iraqi diplomat and Former Ambassador Nizar Khairallah underscored the significance of this diplomatic trajectory, noting, 'This summit is not merely ceremonial. It could reposition Baghdad as a strategic forum for Arab consensus on issues that have long divided the region.' Key Issues on the 2025 Agenda At the 2024 Arab League Summit in Manama, longstanding divisions surfaced among member states, particularly concerning the conflict in Gaza and the normalization of ties with Israel. While countries such as the UAE and Bahrain pushed for de-escalation and economic cooperation, others, including Algeria and Iraq, firmly opposed normalization efforts absent tangible progress on Palestinian statehood. Now, Iraq's hosting of the 2025 Arab League Summit is poised to be a defining moment in the country's growing role in regional diplomacy, particularly as the Middle East faces ongoing instability in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Libya, and Sudan. The summit offers Iraq a platform to influence regional discussions and contribute to the search for solutions to critical challenges. Iraqi officials have indicated that the summit's agenda will also include discussions on joint Arab strategies for water security, energy interdependence, and post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza. These issues are expected to take center stage as Iraq seeks to promote cooperation and encourage long-term stability in the region. One of the summit's central obstacles, according to international relations professor Firas Elias, is navigating the divisions between Arab states on key regional issues. He highlighted Syria's participation as one of the most significant tests for Iraq's leadership, noting that Baghdad has a real opportunity to succeed, thanks to broad Arab support for its initiative. Against the backdrop of political fragmentation and escalating humanitarian crises, the summit will also provide Iraq with a unique opportunity to refocus attention on several urgent regional priorities. Political analyst Huda al-Zuhairi noted that 'the Arab League needs to reassert its relevance, and Baghdad may be the place to start that process.' She added that the summit 'could serve as a turning point for Arab diplomacy if it moves beyond rhetoric to meaningful coordination.' Among the most divisive and consequential issues on the agenda is Syria's reintegration into the Arab diplomatic fold—a development that has triggered both hope and hesitation among member states. Its participation under transitional leadership for the first time since 2011 is expected to dominate headlines and test the League's ability to navigate complex post-conflict transitions. Syria's Reintegration: Recognition and Resistance Syria's anticipated participation under transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa is poised to attract significant attention. Following its official readmission to the Arab League in May 2023, Syria will attend the summit for the first time since the 2011 conflict began. This move, supported by Qatar, has sparked debate over the speed and nature of the reintegration process. While some nations have welcomed Syria's return, others remain cautious, concerned that full normalization with Damascus might be premature without clear political reforms. The rise of Ahmad al-Sharaa, who declared himself Syria's transitional president in early 2025, has added further complexity to the situation. His ascent is seen as part of a broader effort to reshape Syria's political landscape in the wake of the al-Assad era. Nevertheless, Syria's representation at the summit remains contentious. Several Arab states have voiced reservations about formally recognizing al-Sharaa's government as the legitimate authority, calling instead for a more inclusive political process and firm guarantees of transitional justice. Critics argue that admitting Syria without addressing accountability issues could set a dangerous precedent and undermine regional reform efforts. Speaking at the 9th Sulaimani Forum, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani confirmed that Al-Sharaa will attend the upcoming Summit on May 17, stating, 'An official invitation has been extended.' In an interview with France 24 in February 2025, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein also revealed that invitations would be extended to all Arab leaders, including Syria's transitional president. Ahmed al-Yasiri, head of the Arab-Australian Centre for Strategic Studies, suggested that Syria's inclusion is largely a procedural matter, disconnected from previous bilateral tensions. However, he also anticipated potential divisions over Iran's influence in the region and concerns among certain Gulf States about provoking US President Donald Trump, issues that could affect diplomatic representation at the summit. Hussein Alaaldin, an advisor to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, further described Syria's participation as 'a vital step' toward stabilizing the Levant and addressing unresolved issues such as refugee flows, border management, and the persistent threat from extremist groups.
