Arab leaders met in Egypt on March 4 to discuss Gaza reconstruction, presenting Egypt’s plan of $53 billion over five years while rejecting U.S. President Trump’s ‘Middle East Riviera’ proposal. Notable participants included UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The summit also called for elections in the West Bank and Gaza within a year.
On March 4, Arab leaders convened in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital for an emergency summit focused on the Gaza reconstruction efforts. During this summit, Egypt introduced a comprehensive reconstruction proposal expected to total $53 billion over a five-year period, emphasizing the need to avoid relocating Palestinians. This plan diverges significantly from U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision of developing a “Middle East Riviera.”
The summit was attended by prominent figures such as United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Interim President of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, highlighting the international significance of the discussions. In addition to the reconstruction strategies, Arab leaders discussed the proposal for conducting elections in both the West Bank and Gaza within the coming year, signaling a push for democratic processes in the region.
This gathering illustrates the unity among Arab states in addressing the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza while presenting an alternative approach to U.S. proposals regarding Middle Eastern development. The decision to adopt the Egyptian plan reflects a collective commitment to resolving immediate challenges without compromising the rights of the Palestinian people.
The Arab summit in Egypt marks a pivotal moment in addressing the reconstruction of Gaza, showcasing a $53 billion plan that seeks to prioritize the localization of refugees and the establishment of democratic processes. The leaders’ commitment to unity against the backdrop of contrasting proposals from the U.S. underscores the complexities inherent in the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com