The 32nd Arab League summit in Jeddah was dominated by the return of Syria to the Arab fold, even though the participants had to address other issues related to conflicts in the Middle East and beyond.

The presence of the Syrian president marked the summit, allowing Bashar al-Assad to reintegrate into the Arab diplomatic scene from which he had been excluded since 2011.

Currently, Syria and its president seem to be the primary beneficiaries of this change.

Saudi Arabia and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, also benefited from the meeting as “MbS” seeks to establish himself as a key player in regional affairs. He aimed to extend this role internationally by inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to participate in person and address Arab leaders.

However, doubts persist regarding the expected outcomes. Some hope that the end of Syria’s isolation will lead to a cessation of drug trafficking, the disbandment of militias acting on behalf of foreign powers, the repatriation of refugees, and, most importantly, opening dialogue with the opposition.

The communiqué issued after the summit also addressed the rights of Palestinians, the conflicts in Yemen and Sudan, as well as various provisions concerning religious tolerance and sustainable development.

Here is the full text of the “Jeddah Declaration” relating to Syria:

3- We welcome the decision made by the Arab League council at the ministerial level to resume the participation of delegations of the Syrian government in the meetings of the Arab League and its affiliated bodies, expressing hope for this decision to support the stability of Syria, preserve its territorial unity, and resume its role within the Arab world. We stress the importance of continuing to intensify pan-Arab efforts aimed at helping Syria overcome its crisis in line with the joint Arab efforts and brotherly relations that connect all Arab peoples.

Lebanon:

5- We express our solidarity with Lebanon and urge all Lebanese parties to dialogue in order to elect a President of the Republic who fulfills the aspirations of the Lebanese people, the regular work of the constitutional institutions, and the adoption of the required reforms to get Lebanon out of its crisis.

As well as the 6th point relating to foreign interference and support for armed militias:

6- We call for stopping foreign interference in the domestic affairs of Arab countries and categorically reject all support for the formation of armed groups and militias outside the scope of state institutions. We stress that internal armed conflicts will not result in the victory of any one party, but will rather exacerbate the suffering of the peoples, destroy their achievements and impede their progress.

Roger Barake