By Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi
“Some eyes won’t be able to sleep tonight in Tehran,” an Iranian researcher in London commented on Al-Arabyia TV about the recent Arab summit in Jordan.
Of particular worry to Iran was the meeting between Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and the Egyptian leader’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia. Similar concerns included the King’s other high-level meetings, especially with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri, who accompanied the King on his return trip to Riyadh, and with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, after meetings in Baghdad and Washington with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir. Such a show of Arab solidarity and cooperation cannot go down well with those who have bet on stealing Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon away from the Saudi-led Arab camp.
I agree with the Iranian researcher. The attendance of Arab leaders was remarkable, and those who missed the event for health reasons were well represented, in addition to representatives of the United States, Russia, France, the European Union, the African Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the UN Secretary-General and the UN Special Envoy to Syria.
In comparison, at the previous summit in Nouakchott, Mauritania in 2016, Arab and foreign leaders were largely absent and the summit was mostly attended by ministers and ambassadors.
Iran tried to divide the ranks by persuading its friends in Algeria, Egypt and Iraq to demand the invitation of the Assad regime to fill Syria’s vacant seat and to condemn Turkish intervention in Arab affairs. In both cases, the proposals failed, with no support from even Iran-friendly Lebanon and Algeria.
On the other hand, the members unanimously condemned Iran’s destructive policies and sponsorship of terrorism. Egypt, which the mullahs bet on having an «understanding» and «cooperative» attitude with regard to Syria, enthusiastically joined the Arab chorus.
Russia, too, failed the Iranians by refraining from mediation or interference in their favor, despite Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to “allied” Moscow, days before the summit.
The speeches of Arab leaders were explicit in their agreement on key issues related to Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Daesh (the self-proclaimed IS) and Iran. The GCC foreign ministers conference in Riyadh, last Thursday, confirmed and affirmed the Arab stand toward Iran. The summit success is a testimony of good preparation, the importance of the issues at hand and the growing global interest in Mideast conflicts and their repercussions on the world.
The Jordanian leadership made the summit a resounding success with active diplomacy, regional and international political coordination, efficient organization and advanced preparation. Security was a great concern in the volatile surrounding environment. With an event of this magnitude and guests of such high-level, it was quite an achievement for the Jordanians to secure the event without a single incident, despite terrorist threats and blazing wars on their borders.
The momentousness of the agenda is manifested in the trail of devastation brought by wars and crises in Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Libya. It is heightened by the failures of military options and the prospects of political solutions.
On the table there was also the required overdue restructuring of the Arab political, military and security system, starting with overhauling the 72-year-old Arab League.
The international community is acutely aware of the importance of all the above issues. This was apparent in the distinguished attendance and in the speeches of the UN Secretary-General and the representatives of the European Union, the African Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The world has come to realize, if late, that the fuse of the Arab crises extends across continents posing a threat to all with conflict and danger. The Arab people have had enough of empty promises and failed dreams. Generations of leaders have failed to implement real reforms and solve real issues. Resolutions have, forever, evaporated soon after Arab conferences have concluded.
To restore public confidence, our leaders must take solid steps to achieve what they have agreed upon with effective and transparent mechanisms and detailed road maps. They should coordinate policies and procedures, and follow up on true implementation.
Congratulations, Arab Nation, for a successful summit! Let’s now hope and pray for outcomes that will lead to the realization of our “great” dreams and “modest” expectations!
Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached at kbatarfi@gmail.com. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
