Arab summit attended by head of the Syrian regime Bashar al-Assad

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — The 32nd Arab League Summit was concluded on Friday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the participation of head of the Syrian regime Bashar al-Assad, 12 years after Syria was suspended from the organization.

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was a guest of honor at the summit.

Opening the summit, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the final statement with a set of decisions and recommendations that were approved, under the title “Jeddah Declaration”.

Among the most important points of the Jeddah Declaration is the intensification of Arab efforts aimed at helping Syria overcome its crisis, promoting the appropriate conditions for the return of Syrian refugees, and preserving the unity and territorial integrity of Syria.

The statement also stressed the necessity of resolving crises in the Arab countries, implementing political settlements, and giving priority to dialogue in accordance with international efforts. It also urged the Lebanese people to elect a president and form a government as soon as possible.

The Arab summit was met with disapproval of the Emir of Qatar and his departure from the summit before the start speech of the Syrian regime head Bashar al-Assad, according to Reuters quoting an official in the summit.

In related news, under the slogans “Syria Is Not Represented by Criminal Assad,” widespread popular protests erupted, rejecting Bashar al-Assad’s participation in the Arab Summit as a representative of the Syrian people.

The protests took place in separate areas in northern Syria, which is not under the control of the Syrian regime.