The concluding statement of the Arab Summit held on Saturday in Baghdad reiterated rejection of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Syria, calling again for the end of the bloodshed in Gaza.
The statement also urged securing the humanitarian aid convoys for Gaza and preventing the displacement of the Strip’s residents, underlining unifying the Arab efforts to sustain the interests of all the Arab people.
Highlighting the importance of starting the reconstruction of the Lebanese and Palestinian cities destroyed by the Zionist war, the statement called also for the end of the dispute in Sudan.
Arab leaders convened in Baghdad on Saturday for the 34th Arab League Summit against the backdrop of escalating Israeli aggression in Gaza and growing regional tensions following US President Donald Trump’s controversial Gulf tour.
The high-profile gathering has drawn participation from across the Arab world, with notable attendees including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who underlined Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has emerged as one of Israel’s most vocal European critics since Spain’s recognition of Palestine last year.
بالصورة | الوفود العربية والأجنبية تتقاطر إلى #بغداد للمشاركة في القمة العربية pic.twitter.com/hTIK2Aang1
— قناة المنار (@TVManar1) May 17, 2025
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Baghdad Friday, while diplomatic sources indicated most Gulf states opted for ministerial-level representation rather than head-of-state attendance.
Syria’s transitional leadership is represented by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani rather than interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa, whose potential attendance faced political objections within Iraq.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on Arab states to intensify pressure on the international community to compel ‘Israel’ to cease its attacks and fully withdraw from all Lebanese territory.
Addressing the Arab League Summit, Salam emphasized Lebanon’s commitment to a foreign policy based on non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, and similarly, rejecting any foreign interference in its own domestic matters.
“We urge Arab nations to press the international community to force Israel to halt its aggression and to withdraw immediately and entirely from all Lebanese land,” Salam said.
He also affirmed Lebanon’s support for the Palestinian people, saying, “Lebanon remains committed to supporting the Palestinian cause, and we affirm our steadfast support for the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, and our rejection of any attempts to displace them.”
The prime minister also signaled Lebanon’s willingness to work with Damascus to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees and stressed ongoing efforts to control the Lebanese-Syrian border and prevent smuggling activities.
“Lebanon is prepared to cooperate with Syria for the safe return of displaced Syrians,” he stated, reaffirming his government’s broader strategy to restore stability along the country’s frontiers.
Salam arrived in Baghdad yesterday, Friday, at the head of an official delegation to participate in the Arab Summit. He was accompanied on his visit by Foreign Minister Youssef Raji and Economy Minister Amer Basat.
The Lebanese delegation was received by Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, along with the Secretary-General of the Iraqi Council of Ministers, Hamid al-Ghazi.
Hussein welcomed Prime Minister Salam, noting the importance of this visit in strengthening relations between Lebanon and Iraq and the “vital role of the summit in strengthening Arab solidarity and joint action.” He emphasized that “the summit is being held in Baghdad under exceptional circumstances that call for unified efforts to achieve security, stability, and sustainable development.”
For his part, Salam expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome, praising Baghdad’s “historic role in uniting Arab nations and building bridges of cooperation between our brothers,” and emphasizing the importance of strengthening Arab coordination “to confront current issues and common challenges.”
Iraqi PM
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani condemned the Israeli aggression on Gaza and praised the steadfastness of the Palestinian people, affirming our position rejecting all attempts to displace the residents of Gaza under any circumstances or name.
Al-Sudani underlined support for the ceasefire in Lebanon and everything that leads to stability of “this brotherly Arab country”, launching the Arab Solidarity Fund initiative for the reconstruction of Gaza and Lebanon under the supervision of the Arab League, and we will be the first to participate in it.
Source: Agencies and Al-Manar English Website
