Al-Assad and Zelensky take centre stage at Arab League summit
One of the most important Arab League summits in recent years has begun. For the first time since the war in Syria began in 2011, President Bashar Al Assad is attending this type of meeting along with other Arab leaders. His participation in the Jeddah summit signals his return to the organisation and consolidates the end of his regional isolation.
#BREAKING Saudi Crown Prince Bin Salman welcomes Assad at the opening of the Arab League summit pic.twitter.com/dG5fX1AbEr
— Guy Elster (@guyelster) May 19, 2023
Syria was suspended from the Arab League following the government's brutal crackdown on protesters demanding democracy and reform as part of the Arab Spring. However, after more than a decade - and following the devastating earthquake in February - many countries in the region such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan began talks with Syria.
This dialogue culminated in Damascus' definitive return to the Arab League. Subsequently, Syria and Saudi Arabia - the leader of the rapprochement between al-Assad and the other Arab leaders - announced the resumption of their diplomatic missions.
Members of the pan-Arab organisation hope that Syria's return will lay the groundwork for a solution to the decade-long war in the country. Likewise, the Arab countries' rapprochement with Damascus seeks to counteract the great influence that Russia and Iran, the Syrian government's two main allies, have gained in the country.
However, there are also nations that did not initially accept al-Assad's return, such as Qatar. In the end, however, Doha gave in and agreed to Syria's return so as not to "deviate from the Arab consensus".
For its part, the United States, which has imposed numerous sanctions against Damascus, has expressed its rejection of Syria's return to the Arab League. According to State Department spokesman Vedant Patel, the Assad government "does not deserve readmission". "Our position is clear: we will not normalise relations with the Syrian regime, and we do not support others doing so," he said.
As expected, the situation in Syria will be addressed during the Jeddah summit. In particular, Arab leaders will focus on the return of refugees, the fight against drugs and terrorism. According to Hossam Zaki, deputy secretary general of the Arab League, al-Assad's participation initiates a "new stage" in dealing with the Syrian issue.
In addition to Syria, the meeting will discuss Sudan, Palestine as well as economic and social issues in the region, including the development of Arab tourism.
Zelensky seeks to reach out to the Arab world
Al Assad's return to the Arab League has been partially overshadowed by the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has arrived in the Saudi city as a 'guest of honour'.
Watch: Ukrainian President Volodymyr #Zelenskyy arrives in #SaudiArabia’s Jeddah to attend the 32nd Arab League summit. #ArabLeague https://t.co/PCsWrAFVE4 pic.twitter.com/bXnziTAfrO
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) May 19, 2023
According to the President, his first visit to the Kingdom is aimed at "improving bilateral relations and Ukraine's ties with the Arab world". Zelensky's agenda also includes issues such as the situation of political prisoners in Crimea, the Russian-occupied territories and energy cooperation. "Saudi Arabia plays an important role and we are ready to take our cooperation to a new level".
Gulf countries have tried to take a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine. However, nations such as Saudi Arabia and the Emirates have positioned themselves as mediators in the conflict.
During his stay in Jeddah, Zelensky is expected to deliver "an important speech" to Arab leaders. He will then travel to the Japanese city of Hiroshima to participate in the G7 summit.
