Latest news with #HossamZaki
Middle East
7 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Ambassador Hossam Zaki: Towards a peaceful and stable Middle East
CAIRO, July 16 (MENA) - Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki said that throughout the Middle East, pundits and public alike are wondering how the changes that the region is witnessing may affect the fragile existing balance of power and whether they can open the door, finally, for an era of peaceful co-existence and prosperity. It is well established that the strategic weight of our region is not confined to politics or security. It also lies in its increasingly pivotal role in the global economy, Key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, serve as vital arteries of global trade and energy supplies, Zaki said in an opinion piece published by The National UAE newspaper. At the same time, many Arab Gulf states are investing heavily in emerging industries such as renewable energy and advanced technologies. It is clear that bringing peace and stability to the Middle East is no longer a regional aspiration, but a global imperative intertwined with international prosperity, he added. For the Arab League, a new strategic reality in the Middle East can only come about when a true vision for peace is implemented. The vision we have in mind is one based on the two-state solution: restoration of Palestinian rights for independence and dignity, followed by the implementation of the engagement of peace outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative, thus opening the door for an era of true peace and stability in the region, Zaki said. But regional security has been viewed differently by various parties in the region. For the Arabs, based on Arab Summit resolutions, the notion of regional security has always been based on five major pillars: namely, an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the emergence of an independent contiguous Palestine, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of states, the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region, relentless combating of terrorism and the preservation of nation states, and security guarantees for all and shared interests as applicable, he added. From an Arab perspective, while all these elements are essential for reaching a viable and sustainable formula for regional security, we view this equation as a win-win for all parties. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about the perspective offered by other parties in our region, such as Israel, Zaki pointed out. For years, and in particular after the 1993 Oslo accords, the concept of regional security for Israel was based primarily on achieving military and security superiority while 'postponing indefinitely' any viable solution for the Palestinian question and without producing any real vision for achieving just and comprehensive peace, Zaki said. Since October 7, 2023, it appears that 'postponing indefinitely' a solution to the Palestinian question was replaced by 'eliminating' it altogether, he added. Driven by its extreme right-wing forces and its advancement in the past two decades, such a vision is a considerable impediment for peace and prosperity in the region. Enabling those forces to continue on such a path is nothing but a recipe for continued conflict and instability. Such a zero-sum equation with no room for a win-win formula is no salvation for our region and certainly meets no aspiration for peaceful co-existence in it, Zaki said. At the same time, achieving a sustainable peace requires addressing broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly those involving Iran. Over the past few years, several Arab countries have taken steps towards de-escalation and restoring dialogue with Tehran, aiming to establish a framework of mutual respect and non-interference, Zaki added. This approach must be preserved and reinforced, as it offers the potential to reduce tensions and prevent wider regional confrontation, he said. I acknowledge that in my numerous encounters throughout the Arab world, and in particular after witnessing the horrors committed by Israel in Gaza through 21 months of genocidal war, I often reach the unhappy conclusion that many Arabs, in particular the youth, have ceased to believe that peace will be the order of the day in our region in the foreseeable future and that it is somehow condemned to perpetual instability and turmoil. The brief moments of peace of the 1990s seem like such distant memories, Zaki added. All powerful players, in the region and outside it, should try and change such desperate views, if we are to seek a better and more prosperous future for the coming generations. To my understanding, a number of Arab countries who play a major role in the region have expressed readiness to engage in meaningful discussions on the matter, Zaki said. However, in the absence of an Israeli willingness to engage on a viable path for peace, it can be an exercise in futility. The hope remains that an active and motivated US president may intervene to tip the balance not only for the sake of morality and law, but also for shared interests and a win-for-all formula which addresses the concerns of all parties, he concluded. (MENA) M A A/R G E
Middle East
7 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Hossam Zaki: MidEast transformations herald new era of peaceful coexistence, shared prosperity
CAIRO, July 15 (MENA) - Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki said that throughout the Middle East, pundits and public alike are wondering how the changes that the region is witnessing may affect the fragile existing balance of power and whether they can open the door, finally, for an era of peaceful co-existence and prosperity. It is well established that the strategic weight of our region is not confined to politics or security. It also lies in its increasingly pivotal role in the global economy, Key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, serve as vital arteries of global trade and energy supplies, Zaki said in an opinion piece published by The National UAE newspaper. At the same time, many Arab Gulf states are investing heavily in emerging industries such as renewable energy and advanced technologies. It is clear that bringing peace and stability to the Middle East is no longer a regional aspiration, but a global imperative intertwined with international prosperity, he added. For the Arab League, a new strategic reality in the Middle East can only come about when a true vision for peace is implemented. The vision we have in mind is one based on the two-state solution: restoration of Palestinian rights for independence and dignity, followed by the implementation of the engagement of peace outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative, thus opening the door for an era of true peace and stability in the region, Zaki said. But regional security has been viewed differently by various parties in the region. For the Arabs, based on Arab Summit resolutions, the notion of regional security has always been based on five major pillars: namely, an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the emergence of an independent contiguous Palestine, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of states, the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region, relentless combating of terrorism and the preservation of nation states, and security guarantees for all and shared interests as applicable, he added. From an Arab perspective, while all these elements are essential for reaching a viable and sustainable formula for regional security, we view this equation as a win-win for all parties. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about the perspective offered by other parties in our region, such as Israel, Zaki pointed out. For years, and in particular after the 1993 Oslo accords, the concept of regional security for Israel was based primarily on achieving military and security superiority while 'postponing indefinitely' any viable solution for the Palestinian question and without producing any real vision for achieving just and comprehensive peace, Zaki said. Since October 7, 2023, it appears that 'postponing indefinitely' a solution to the Palestinian question was replaced by 'eliminating' it altogether, he added. Driven by its extreme right-wing forces and its advancement in the past two decades, such a vision is a considerable impediment for peace and prosperity in the region. Enabling those forces to continue on such a path is nothing but a recipe for continued conflict and instability. Such a zero-sum equation with no room for a win-win formula is no salvation for our region and certainly meets no aspiration for peaceful co-existence in it, Zaki said. At the same time, achieving a sustainable peace requires addressing broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly those involving Iran. Over the past few years, several Arab countries have taken steps towards de-escalation and restoring dialogue with Tehran, aiming to establish a framework of mutual respect and non-interference, Zaki added. This approach must be preserved and reinforced, as it offers the potential to reduce tensions and prevent wider regional confrontation, he said. I acknowledge that in my numerous encounters throughout the Arab world, and in particular after witnessing the horrors committed by Israel in Gaza through 21 months of genocidal war, I often reach the unhappy conclusion that many Arabs, in particular the youth, have ceased to believe that peace will be the order of the day in our region in the foreseeable future and that it is somehow condemned to perpetual instability and turmoil. The brief moments of peace of the 1990s seem like such distant memories, Zaki added. All powerful players, in the region and outside it, should try and change such desperate views, if we are to seek a better and more prosperous future for the coming generations. To my understanding, a number of Arab countries who play a major role in the region have expressed readiness to engage in meaningful discussions on the matter, Zaki said. However, in the absence of an Israeli willingness to engage on a viable path for peace, it can be an exercise in futility. The hope remains that an active and motivated US president may intervene to tip the balance not only for the sake of morality and law, but also for shared interests and a win-for-all formula which addresses the concerns of all parties, he concluded. (MENA) M A A/R G E
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.
