Arab League Council opens 166th session in Cairo with Saudi participation

The 166th session of the Arab League Council at the level of permanent representatives opened today at the League’s headquarters in Cairo, chaired by Hashemi Al-Ajaili, Director General of Maghreb, Arab and Islamic Organizations at the Republic of Tunisia, with the participation of Sherif Kamel, Advisor to the Secretary-General of the League.

The Saudi delegation was led by Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Matar, the Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League.

The opening session saw the handover of the presidency from Bahrain, represented by Ambassador Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal, to the Tunisian representative. Delegates discussed the draft agenda, which included political, economic, social, cultural, legal, and security issues.

Palestinian issue and Iranian attacks

The Palestinian issue topped the agenda, alongside unlawful Iranian attacks against Arab states. Ambassador Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal stated that the Iranian assaults constitute a blatant violation of international law and undermine peace and security in the region, warning of the grave threat these attacks pose to the sovereignty of Arab countries and the safety of their citizens.

The Bahraini ambassador reaffirmed that the Palestinian cause remains the central issue for Arabs, stressing the need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the protection of Palestinian rights to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Committee elections and strengthening Arab cooperation

The agenda included elections to appoint chairs of several permanent council committees, such as the Human Rights Committee, the Meteorological Committee, the Permanent Media Committee, and the International Humanitarian Law Committee, as well as the appointment of judges to the League’s Administrative Court.

Ambassador Zainal noted that the previous session was held during a highly sensitive period, calling for enhanced Arab cooperation and coordination to support Arab national security and unity in facing challenges.