Expectations low ahead of Arab League meeting

Riyadh: Analysts and political observers here expressed little hope as leaders of the 22-member Arab League countries have gathered for an annual summit in the Libyan city of Sirte.

They attributed this mainly to the strained relations between Libya and some of the Arab states. "This will lead to abstention of a number of Arab leaders," they said.

A number of major issues and challenges facing the Arab world will be discussed prior to approval of the Sirte Declaration.

Speaking to Gulf News, the analysts noted that the 23rd summit is being held at a time when the Arabs are facing a major challenge posed by Israel in the occupied territories. "The differences of opinion among the Arab leaders vis-à-vis the Palestinian issue, especially the intransigence of the hawkish Jewish government to continue setting up of colonies in occupied East Jerusalem, may weaken the Arab unity efforts at the summit," they said, adding that the summit will be a major boost for the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who will hold the presidency of the Arab League for the first time since he took power about 40 years ago.

Golden opportunity

They see that the summit would provide a golden opportunity and historic occasion for Gaddafi to work for realising Arab unity and solidarity and bury hatchet with leaders of some Arab states. "But this historic role should be a continuation of the reconciliation initiative made by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia that started at the Kuwait Summit in 2006.

Libya also has to make serious efforts to solve its differences with a number of member-countries before putting on the mantle of a mediator," they said.

Dr Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah, a Saudi expert in international relations, said: "We expected that Gaddafi would take the initiative for the reconciliation and to solve differences with some of the member countries, especially Saudi Arabia, at least some months before the summit. But nothing had happened. The situation is remaining as it was in the past.

"It is doubtful whether Libya could play an effective role in this respect even after the summit. If some Arab leaders keep away from attending the summit, it means that the differences would extend to the summit and beyond. And no doubt, this would be detrimental to Arab interests and would be helpful only to Israel."

Dr Sultan Al Thaqfi, professor of political science at King Saud University of Riyadh, is of the view that Libya must make serious efforts to solve differences with some of the Arab states. "Then only can Gaddafi play any mediatory role as head of the summit.

"Otherwise, the summit will be a dismal failure and would restrict only to passing some resolutions and posing of leaders for a photo session," he said noting that the previous summits also failed to fulfil the aspirations of the Arab people.

On his part, noted Saudi political columnist Mohammad Abdullah Al Ahmad, who is also a former diplomat, said that the Arab Summit is being held at a time when Arabs are facing some of the worst challenges.