Top diplomats from eight Arab League countries recently gathered for pivotal talks aimed at establishing support for a peaceful transition process in Syria, following the recent ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. Holding their meeting at the Jordanian Red Sea port of Aqaba, foreign ministers from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Qatar released a joint statement outlining key principles for the future of the nation.
The statement emphasized the necessity for all political and social factions within Syria to be represented in the new governing structure. It asserted, "all political and social forces must be represented" and called for "justice and equality for all citizens." This inclusivity is seen as fundamental to ensuring stability and healing the fracture within the Syrian society.
Highlighting the international framework necessary for establishing peace, the ministers insisted on supporting the political process via the United Nations and the Arab League, reiteratively aligning their approach with the principles laid out by UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which provides guidelines for negotiating peace settlements.
The ministers also convened alongside notable figures, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pederson, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who collectively pushed for the establishment of a representative government deeply committed to safeguarding minority rights and combating terrorism.
"Today’s agreement sends a unified message to the new interim authority and parties in Syria on the principles necessary to secure much-needed support and recognition," Blinken stated during a news conference following the meetings.
This ground-breaking talk follows the unexpected fall of Assad, which was largely attributed to swift military action spearheaded by the opposition group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The political agenda moving forward hinges on rebuilding institutions within Syria to successfully avoid the scourge of chaos and provide structure for refugee reintegration, humanitarian efforts, and regional stability, according to various reports from the meeting.
"Nobody wants to see Syria break apart entirely. They want it stable enough to facilitate the return of millions of refugees," asserted Nour Odeh of Al Jazeera, reporting live from Jordan’s capital. The need for military restraint was expressed resolutely, with the ministers vocal about preserving institutions to sidestep potential chaos.
Further, the Arab ministers condemned Israel's military actions within Syrian borders, including recent airstrikes, reiteratively calling for immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces. This reflects broader concerns about maintaining Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity alongside necessitated security cooperation to combat terrorism across the region.
Inclusiveness is also underscored as "critical" for forming any transitional government, according to Labib al-Nahhas, director of the Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity, which champions rights for Syrian refugees. He articulated the potential for conflict if power returns to exclusively elite hands, stating, "The key to success…is inclusiveness, and not handing the country back to a single party or a single person."
Al-Nahhas highlighted the behavior of Syrians and rebels as they moved through various cities, showcasing their commitment to protecting minority rights during this tumultuous phase. "So far, there have only been scattered reports about retribution or vindictive acts," he noted, emphasizing the positive direction under the current circumstances.
The nature of these meetings showcased the pressing social need for dialogue and national unity among Syria’s various factions. The Arab League's support is perceived not just politically, but also financially and humanitarianly, enveloping the necessity to sustain ministries and operations geared toward maintaining national stability and international support.
Initial meetings earlier emphasized the gravity of humanitarian efforts, with US Secretary of State Blinken asserting the UN must play its role effectively. “The United Nations performs a pivotal role...in humanitarian assistance and protection for minorities,” he stated, indicating the multifaceted approach the international community is willing to support.
The current phase is characterized by urgency; the calls for immediate cessation of military operations and respect for the Syrian populace’s multifaceted rights were echoed by multiple parties. A comprehensive national dialogue is seen as non-negotiable, where every segment of the Syrian population, including women and youth, must have representation and be able to voice their choices.
According to member officials, the steering committee acknowledged the importance of countering terrorism to prevent any resurgence of extremist groups posing threats to regional safety. This included plans for cooperative strategies to thwart such groups from exploiting the transitional chaos and using Syria as base for their activities.
Arab League support of Syrian unity pivots on recognizing and respecting Syria’s territorial integrity, countering external forces, and progressing toward establishing internal frameworks supporting governance and civil rights. Simultaneously, international entities remain engaged closely to monitor these developments and facilitate necessary interventions as warranted.
Overall, the meetings held at Aqaba stand as significant markers for the future direction of Syria, emphasizing cooperation among Arab states and international counterparts to chart out a stable and inclusive pathway for the war-torn nation.
