Syria’s Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa Participates in Arab Summit on Gaza

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa attended the Arab League summit in Cairo, marking his first significant diplomatic engagement since ousting Bashar al-Assad. His presence emphasized Syria’s return to regional discussions. Sharaa condemned a controversial U.S. proposal regarding Gaza, denouncing it as an unacceptable act against Palestinian residents.

On Tuesday, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa attended an Arab League summit in Cairo focused on the conflict in Gaza. This was his first participation in such a meeting since taking over leadership after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad approximately three months ago. Reports from state news agency SANA confirmed his attendance to discuss critical developments regarding the Palestinian issue.

During the summit, images surfaced showing Sharaa engaged in discussions with several high-profile leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and European Union chief Antonio Costa. Under Sharaa’s leadership, his Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), executed a swift offensive that resulted in Assad’s removal, concluding over fifty years of the Assad family’s governance.

After an extended period of isolation due to Assad’s repressive actions in 2011, Syria was welcomed back into the Arab League earlier this year. In anticipation of his attendance at the summit, the UN Security Council committee granted Sharaa a travel ban exemption, permitting his visit to Egypt despite his listing on sanctions.

The summit was convened in response to a controversial plan put forth by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which proposed that the United States assume control of Gaza. Sharaa condemned Trump’s suggestion as “a very huge crime that cannot happen.” This reflects the significant tensions surrounding potential geopolitical interventions in the region.

In summary, the attendance of Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Arab League summit represents a pivotal moment for Syrian leadership in the context of Middle Eastern politics. His participation underscores Syria’s recent reintegration into regional dialogues following years of exclusion. The condemnation of Trump’s Gaza proposal further illustrates the complexities surrounding the Palestinian issue and regional relations.

Original Source: www.france24.com