"The Baghdad Summit calls for an end to the war in Gaza and supports political solutions in the region."
May 17, 202593 ViewsRead Time: 3 minutes
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At the conclusion of the 34th Arab League Summit, Arab leaders approved the "Baghdad Declaration," which included unified stances on pressing Arab issues, with a special focus on the Palestinian cause and regional crises. The declaration was divided into three main sections: Arab Summit resolutions, Development Summit outcomes, and 15 Iraqi initiatives. **Palestine at the Forefront of the Declaration** The declaration reiterated the "centrality of the Palestinian issue," calling for "an immediate halt to the war in Gaza and an end to all hostile acts that increase the suffering of innocent civilians." It urged the international community, especially influential countries, to "fulfill their ethical and legal responsibilities to ensure the entry of humanitarian aid without obstacles." The declaration also called for support for the "Arab-Islamic Joint Plan" for the reconstruction of Gaza, approved by the emergency Arab Summit in Cairo and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Summit in Jeddah. It welcomed Arab initiatives to establish a Gaza Reconstruction Fund, emphasizing the importance of opening crossings for aid. In a related context, the declaration welcomed the formation of an "open membership working group" in cooperation with the United Nations to care for the approximately 40,000 Gaza orphans, rejecting "any form of forced displacement of the Palestinian people." It also called for an international peace conference based on the initiative of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, emphasizing the need to implement the "two-state solution" and deploy international protection forces. **Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon: Political Solutions and Unity Support** The declaration emphasized support for a "comprehensive national dialogue" in Syria involving all segments of the population, stressing the importance of "respecting diversity and social peace." It welcomed the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria and praised Iraq's readiness to host the dialogue conference. Regarding Yemen, the declaration stressed support for the country's unity and sovereignty, encouraging internal dialogue to end the war. As for Libya, it called for the "withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries" and the continuation of the political process. **Arab Solidarity and Water Security** The declaration affirmed support for Lebanon in facing security and economic challenges, rejecting attacks on its sovereignty. It supported Somali unity and emphasized the water rights of Arab countries, especially Egypt, Sudan, Syria, and Iraq. **Iranian Nuclear Program and Development Initiatives** Arab leaders welcomed negotiations between Washington and Tehran on the nuclear program, considering it a step towards "using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes." They also praised Oman's role in these talks. In the development section, the declaration approved several initiatives, including the Mauritanian "Blue Economy," the Arab Food Security Strategy (2025-2035), and Bahrain's "Munathara" satellite project. **Iraqi Initiatives** The declaration concluded with 15 Iraqi initiatives, including the "Arab Covenant to Support the Syrian People" and the "Arab Fund for Reconstruction," in addition to establishing the "Arab Center for Artificial Intelligence" in Baghdad and the "Arab Alliance for Protecting Water Resources."