Political salon expresses cautious hope for Arab summit

AMMAN — Arab leaders are facing complicated challenges in the upcoming Arab summit and hopes must remain realistic concerning regional issues, speakers at a political salon recently stated. 

During the political salon “Arab Summit 2017: Challenges and opportunities” organised by the Middle East Studies Centre (MESC) and attended by politicians and diplomats, former minister Amen Mashaqbeh discussed regional challenges including the Syrian crisis, the Palestinian cause and the situations in Iraq, Yemen and Libya.

He stressed the need to form a strategy and speak from a common voice to fight extremism and terrorism. 

“I do not think that the summit will outline the solutions at once but it will at least achieve some kind of agreement” he added. 

Mashaqbeh expressed the importance of the Jordanian role in the UN-supervised peace negotiation process to be held in Geneva between the Syrian government and opposition. Jordan “cannot simply be a monitor”, said Mashaqbeh, noting the political, economic, social and demographic consequences the Syrian crisis has had on the Kingdom. 

Former deputy prime minister Jawad Anani stressed that the strategic location of the summit, which will be held in the Dead Sea area, on the borders of the West Bank, was a chance to focus on the Palestinian cause.  He noted the challenge posed by the American presidency’s recent declarations of support to Israel.

Anani outlined the importance of increasing economic and commercial cooperation between Arab countries, creating an Arab peacekeeping army, as well as enhancing and strengthening the role of the Arab League, which he described as “weakened”. 

Former foreign minister Kamel Abu Jaber, facilitator of the meeting, called for more cooperation among Arab leaders and a  stronger, more organised Arab framework.