Arab leaders convene in Baghdad to discuss Gaza genocide, regional issues

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 17 May 2025 11:04 AM

Arab leaders have convened in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, to take part in the 34th Arab League Summit, with the Israeli genocide against Gaza expected to be a primary focus.

The summit kicked off on Saturday with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid leading the sessions.

Top diplomats of Arab states agreed that the continued Israeli regime forces’ genocidal war against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip would be in the limelight during the summit.

Foreign Ministers of the Arab League had met earlier on Thursday to finalize the summit’s agenda which included main issues concerning West Asia and North Africa.

The Arab League has also invited UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to attend the international summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent his greetings to the Arab leaders taking part in the summit, reminding them that their meeting was being held at a difficult time in the region.

“The escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives, has dramatically aggravated tensions and enhanced many social and economic problems in adjacent countries and throughout the Middle East as a whole,” he said.

“The role of the Arab League as an effective mechanism for multilateral dialogue and interaction is especially important in this situation,” he added.

Putin said he was confident that this meeting would help strengthen multifaceted mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries and explore ways to bring about peace, security and stability in West Asia and North Africa.

UN chief calls for immediate, permanent ceasefire

Addressing the summit, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued an urgent call for a “permanent and immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, following Israel’s announcement of an intensified offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Guterres expressed deep concern over Israel’s plans to expand its ground operations to occupy more territory in Gaza.

He also said that the United Nations would not participate in any aid operation in Gaza that fails to adhere to international law and humanitarian standards.

Gaza genocide at ‘a level of ugliness unparalleled in history’

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani pledged $40 million for reconstruction in Gaza and Lebanon, and called for an Arab fund to support rebuilding efforts.

Al-Sudani condemned the ongoing “genocide” in Gaza and called for an end to the forced displacement of Palestinians.

“This genocide has reached a level of ugliness unparalleled in all conflicts in history,” the prime minister added.

‘Palestine bleeding before our eyes’

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also addressed the summit, underscoring the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. “Palestine is bleeding before our eyes. What is unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank cannot go unnoticed,” he said.

Sánchez said Israel was violating international law and humanitarian principles. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza must end “immediately and without delay,” he said.

Saturday’s summit comes two months after the Tel Aviv regime ended a ceasefire reached with Gaza’s authorities and resumed its deadly attacks in Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to further intensify the devastating war to pursue his aim of eliminating the ruling Palestinian Hamas resistance movement.

The Arab League Summit also follows US President Donald Trump’s 4-day tour in the region earlier in the week.

During Trump’s visit, Saudi Arabia promised to invest $600 billion in the US, and major projects were signed with the United Arab Emirates after Abu Dhabi in March committed to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework in the US. Qatar and the US agreed on a $1.2 trillion “economic exchange.”