Egyptian prominent politician Mona Makram Ebeid has called for amending the Arab League (AL) pact due to its “failure” to address longtime armed conflicts in several Arab countries.
In an interview with the Arab Today, Ebeid said the AL “failed to achieve the goal it was established for 70 years ago highlighting the dispute among its member states.”
The veteran politician attributed this to AL’s failure to make member states abide by its decisions, adding that reform of the AL structure should be backed by a political will.
“The lax in addressing Arab states’ issues has resulted in the interference of other foreign organizations into the internal affairs of several Arab countries, including Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Libya,” she added.
Ebeid’s remarks come a few months after the AL, set up on 22 March, 1945, to propel a united Arab world towards liberation, sovereignty and economic prosperity, celebrated its 70th Anniversary.
The remarks come days before the convening of the Arab summit in Amman on March 29.
“The coming summit will be a test for Abdullah’s ability to craft a semblance of unity among Arab leaders. The line between utter failure and spectacular achievement will be thin,” she said.
Another challenge for the Arab League members will be the possible reversal of the United States' decades-old policy on East Jerusalem and West Bank settlements. Aside from condemning such measures, if they occur before March, Arab leaders will have no realistic response to what will certainly mean the demise of the two-state solution.
The Arab League was established to provide a legal and institutional framework that would bring the Arabs together and provide a platform to serve their interests. The Arab League is committed to the goals of consolidating ties among the 21 member states, coordinating political plans to achieve cooperation, and maintaining their independence, sovereignty and joint heritage.