Arab League against “Shiite tide”, says Aboul Gheit

CAIRO – 2 May 2017: A call for the unification of Arab states has been issued by Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. The call comes as a response to what Aboul Gheit characterizes as the current beleaguered state of the Arab World.

Aboul Gheit, during the 16th edition of the Arab Media Forum (AMF), said Arab states should work hand-in-hand in order to overcome the ongoing crises.

He also demanded countries of the Arab region to put an end to the interference of foreign countries meddling in the region’s affairs and concerns.

The AMF’s 16th edition kicked off on Monday and is scheduled to conclude May 2. The forum is taking place at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai; it is being held around the theme “Civil Dialogue”.

Aboul Gheit, as a keynote speaker, said the Arab League is capable of serving the nation, only if given the opportunity to do so, “Therefore, we have to reconcile and come clear with each other,” he added.

He also added that Arab countries only contributed 23 percent of the Arab League’s 2017 budget, and only 44 percent of 2016’s budget.

“The Arab League is a reflection of the situation in the Arab region; however, we should not despair, we will straighten out our situation,” he said. “The Arab League has no substitute.”

Aboul Gheit spoke about a key seminar he attended in Bahrain in 2014; during the seminar an Iranian expert, according to Aboul Gheit, said that Iran controls decision-making in four Arab capitals.

In this topical vein, Aboul Gheit said the Arab League is against the Shiite tide in the region.

The Arab League Secretary General revealed some attempts of historical reconciliations through meetings between countries. He also warned against the loss of unity between Arab countries; “If the Arab unity is lost, the region will be at war for the coming 100 years.”

This year’s AMF is expected to attract over 3,000 participants as well as experts in the media industry.