Arab League chief: Efforts underway to restore AL role in handling regional crises

Arab League (AL) Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit asserted on Wednesday that he exerts strenuous efforts to restore the leading role of the AL in solving regional crises.

In an interview with Sky News, he acknowledged the AL role in handling a number of political files have dwindled.

The Arab League chief attributed the weakness of the AL role to the different views of Arab countries towards many issues, saying unified stances among all Arab states are necessary to face the challenges. 

Abul Gheit expressed his rejection of referring all Arab disputes to the Security Council, stressing that some powers have a desire to stop the AL from from performing its role. 

As for the Libyan crisis, he pointed to his proposal presented to the Arab ministerial council on September 8 to name an Arab figure to be a delegate for the AL secretary general or an envoy to the AL secretary general on the Libyan issue. 

With regard to the Yemeni crisis, Abul Gheit asserted that he asked Kuwaiti foreign minister to pick an envoy from the AL to attend negotiations between Yemeni parties.

With respect to the Syrian file, Abul Gheit said he demanded the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and UN Special Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura to inform Arab states of the latest developments of international negotiations and consultations on Syria. 

Asked about Iranian threats and its repercussion on the Arab security, the AL chief pointed to the fact of the Iranian threats, calling for Arab foreign ministers to step up consultations to face the challenges.

Source: MENA