USIP staffer Sarhang Hamasaeed on March 27 provided the following update on the Arab Summit underway in Baghdad, Iraq.
USIP staffer Sarhang Hamasaeed on March 27 provided the following update on the Arab Summit underway in Baghdad, Iraq.
The summit is scheduled to happen on time, and delegations have started arriving to Baghdad.
Some media reports indicate that as many as 10 heads of states could attend, but it remains unclear exactly how many -- and who – will attend. Iraq confirms that the Amir of Kuwait and President Bashir of Sudan will be among them, but nothing is sure. Expected agenda items are to include the Arab-Israeli conflict, Syria, Yemen, international terrorism, and making the Middle East nuclear free.
Syria was not invited to the summit, and while it will be on the agenda, as of now it is not expected to call for the removal of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
More than 100,000 troops and security personnel are providing security for the summit. The government has declared March 25 through April 1 as public holidays. Though traffic to and from Baghdad is cut off, many here largely welcome Iraq hosting the summit and see it as a sign of Iraq regaining its stature in the Arab world.
Explore Further
- Learn more about USIP's work on Syria
- Learn more about USIP’s programs in Iraq