Iraq, preparing to host Arab League summit, eyes bigger regional role

BAGHDAD — Iraq is preparing to host the 34th Arab League Summit on May 17 in Baghdad, a gathering officials describe as both a diplomatic milestone and a renewed opportunity for regional engagement. As summit host, Iraq will also assume the rotating presidency of the Arab League for one year—a position officials say carries weight well beyond symbolism.

“This is Iraq’s rightful place,” said Fadi Al-Shammari, an advisor to the prime minister, in an interview with 964media. “It is Iraq’s rightful place to host the summit in Baghdad. This is part of its annual rotation, and Iraq is preparing with all its diplomatic, governmental, service, and logistical institutions to ensure the success of the Arab Summit and to present something new — a renewed return of Arabs to Iraq and Iraq’s return to the Arab fold.”

Al-Shammari said the event is occurring at a pivotal time for Iraq and the region. “This gathering, this convergence, comes at a time when Iraq is experiencing stability, and the region is experiencing entanglement,” he said. “Therefore, Iraq has a role to play in fulfilling its duty to make this Arab Summit successful, with actionable decisions. Since Iraq will lead the summit for a year, follow-up and implementation of the summit’s outcomes will also be on the agenda.”

Summit preparations are being handled in coordination with the country’s political leadership and government bodies, Al-Shammari said. “The policy tracks are being formulated within the framework leadership and the State Administration Coalition. These are the decision-making bodies that ‘cook up’ and finalize strategic decisions, naturally in consultation with the government. The government then proceeds to implement them.”

“Either these bodies generate the vision and proceed with its implementation, or the vision is shaped within the decision-making institutions and then executed by the government,” he said.

The summit also reflects Iraq’s broader effort to re-engage with Syria and the wider region. “Damascus needs us—and needs others—to draw closer to us and to others,” Al-Shammari said. “A new situation is emerging in Syria, and the Syrian people are looking for support from their brothers and neighbors.”

He acknowledged regional concerns. “There are concerns about this new situation in Syria, and these concerns are shared not only by Iraq, but also by Jordan, Egypt, and the Gulf states. Still, our duty is to engage — even if that engagement is cautious.”

Al-Shammari confirmed recent diplomatic outreach between the two countries. “Of course, there was a visit by the head of the intelligence service to Damascus, and on the diplomatic front, the new Syrian foreign minister visited Baghdad. Iraq has presented a roadmap to the Arab platform, and it has been adopted as a roadmap to be presented to Syria by the Arab League.”

Tensions have emerged, however, over the inclusion of certain figures in the summit. During a recent visit to Qatar, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with Ahmed Al-Shara’, interim president of Syria. Al-Sudani formally invited him to attend the Baghdad summit, sparking backlash from some Shia political factions in Iraq, who view Al-Shar’a as a divisive figure tied to past insurgent activities in Iraq.