Arab League Summit Opens in Baghdad Amid Regional Crises and Renewed Calls for Peace

BAGHDAD — The 34th Arab League Summit convened on Saturday in the Iraqi capital, drawing six heads of state, senior Arab officials, and delegates from international organizations, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. This marks the first time since 2012 that Iraq has hosted the summit, amid a backdrop of escalating regional turmoil and growing calls for diplomatic solutions. 

In his opening speech, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid described the Middle East as facing a “difficult and perilous phase,” urging Arab nations to address mounting threats to their sovereignty and stability through dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful negotiation. 

The summit’s agenda focused heavily on the war in Gaza, regional security coordination, economic development, and institutional reform within the Arab League framework. 

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Ghayt issued a strong warning to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen, holding it responsible for exacerbating instability across the region. He also criticized the impact of armed militias and foreign intervention in deepening the crises in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Gaza. 

UN Secretary-General Guterres echoed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, condemning the forced displacement of Palestinians and urging the release of all detainees. He called on Lebanese political factions to respect the nation’s sovereignty and appealed to Arab leaders to find a lasting resolution to the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, while pressing for de-escalation and dialogue in Libya. 

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi condemned the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza, accusing Tel Aviv of perpetrating mass atrocities and demanding greater international accountability. 

In response to the crisis, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani pledged $20 million for Gaza reconstruction and an additional $20 million in aid to Lebanon. He reaffirmed Iraq’s ongoing cooperation with Syria to secure the countries’ shared border and emphasized Baghdad’s commitment to regional stability. 

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez attended the summit as a guest of honor, offering brief remarks underscoring the urgency of peace and multilateral engagement. 

Syria’s participation was a notable point of tension ahead of the summit. Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa initially confirmed he would attend. However, for unknown reasons, the Syrian Transitional Government announced that Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani would represent Syria instead.