Lebanon Explains Arab Countries' Leaders Non-Participation In Arab League Summit

Sumaira FH Published January 18, 2019 | 08:34 PM

Both foreign pressure on Lebanon and the absence of a government in the country could be reasons for the majority of the Arab countries leaders' refusal to participate in the economic summit of the Arab League in Beirut, representatives of the Lebanese parliament told Sputnik Friday

BEIRUT (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th January, 2019) Both foreign pressure on Lebanon and the absence of a government in the country could be reasons for the majority of the Arab countries leaders' refusal to participate in the economic summit of the Arab League in Beirut, representatives of the Lebanese parliament told Sputnik Friday.

Almost all heads of the Arab League countries except the presidents of Iraq and Mauritania, refused to participate in the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in Beirut.

"The low level of participation in the Beirut summit is part of the foreign pressure on Lebanon. There is no other explanation," Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese parliament Elie Ferzli said.

At the same time, Mohammad Khawaja, the member of parliament representing the Amal movement, a Lebanese political party associated with the country's Shiite community, said that the low level of participation was foreseeable, primarily due to the absence of a government in Lebanon and Syria's refusal to attend the summit.

"Due to these reasons, we suggested to postpone the summit for two months until the government is formed and the Arab League states agree on Syria's readmission to the organization," Khawaja said.

The summit of the League of Arab States, focused on economic and social development, began in Beirut on Thursday with a session of a committee of specialized delegations. It will last until Sunday.

The Arab League suspended Syria's membership in 2011 after the war in the country broke out. Member states then recalled their ambassadors from the country. However, the Arab countries are now making steps to re-establish diplomatic ties with Damascus.