Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa attended his first Arab League summit in Cairo, discussing the Gaza crisis. His leadership follows the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December. Sharaa met influential figures, enhancing Syria’s diplomatic engagement after years of regional isolation due to Assad’s brutal regime. He criticized Trump’s Gaza proposal as a “very huge crime that cannot happen.”
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the interim President of Syria, attended an Arab League summit in Cairo focusing on the Gaza situation. This marked Sharaa’s debut at such a meeting since he took over leadership by ousting Bashar al-Assad nearly three months prior. His attendance represents a significant shift in Syria’s diplomatic engagement following years of isolation due to the civil unrest under Assad’s rule.
Sharaa’s participation was confirmed by state news agency SANA, which reported his arrival for the extraordinary summit. During the event, Sharaa engaged with high-ranking officials, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, and European Union chief Antonio Costa, enhancing diplomatic relations amid ongoing tensions in Gaza.
The interim President’s rise to leadership followed a significant rebel offensive by his group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which resulted in Assad’s ousting on December 8. After more than fifty years of Assad’s family rule, Sharaa’s appointment for a transitional period signals ongoing changes within Syrian governance.
Syria had been suspended from the Arab League following a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests. However, following years of regional isolation, the bloc allowed Syria’s reintegration in 2023. A UN Security Council committee also enabled Sharaa to travel to Egypt for this pivotal summit despite his prior sanctions list inclusion.
The summit was convened in response to widespread criticism of a controversial proposal by former President Donald Trump, which suggested the U.S. manage the rebuilding of Gaza while displacing its residents. Sharaa condemned this as a “very huge crime that cannot happen.”
In summary, Ahmed al-Sharaa’s attendance at the Arab summit in Cairo signifies a notable diplomatic comeback for Syria following years of isolation. Engaging with prominent leaders on pressing regional issues, he emphasized his opposition to controversial proposals regarding Palestinian displacement. Sharaa’s rapid ascension to power after the downfall of Assad highlights the ongoing shifts within Syrian politics and its implications for foreign relations.
Original Source: www.france24.com
