Several parties are circulating news about a possible postponement of the Arab summit scheduled in Algeria after the expansion of Arab-Arab disagreements, both declared and hidden, and another struggle with internal problems. While differences in opinions on various issues pressure towards postponing it, Algeria insists on holding it on the scheduled date.

As the date of the Arab summit scheduled for next November approaches, talk of postponement is heating up like the heat of this summer, especially as ambiguity has become the dominant factor regarding some files and the "disputed" topics. Moreover, multiple problems and disagreements among Arab countries hinder the rapprochement that Algeria is working to achieve in order to ensure the success of the summit, which has been postponed since 2019, the last meeting of Arab leaders in Tunisia, for reasons related to the "Corona" pandemic.

Algeria shows great readiness to host the summit, which President Abdelmadjid Tebboune confirmed "will be successful because it aims to gather the Arab ranks after years of division and fragmentation." But it seems that the visible and hidden disputes are expanding contrary to what Algeria desires. After the tension in its relations with Morocco, the focus turned to the instability between Rabat and Tunis, the return of armed chaos in Libya, some hidden "disruptions" between Cairo and Algeria which welcomed the Ethiopian Prime Minister, the interference in Iraq and Lebanon, the return of some alignment with Iran, and the disagreements over Syria’s attendance at the summit— all factors that now threaten holding the summit on its scheduled date.

Reasons for postponement and holding

Regarding this, Professor of International Relations and Head of the New Republic Center for Political and Strategic Studies, Hamid Faris, told "Independent Arabia" that a state of uncertainty surrounds the Arab summit to be held in Algeria, especially with the intensification of disagreements that may be a main reason for postponing this summit. He added that although Algeria is making every effort to hold the Arab meeting on time, the current conditions indicate a postponement. There are thorny files that remain unresolved, most notably Syria’s return to the Arab League, as Algeria seeks Damascus’s presence at the summit despite the absence of a unified position on the matter amid some rejecting the step and others taking a wait-and-see approach, along with other pending issues.

Faris continued, saying that the Algerian-Moroccan tension will have serious repercussions on Arab nationalism, and the intensity of this crisis increased following the withdrawal of ambassadors between Tunisia and Rabat, which has greatly strained relations between the Maghreb countries. He questioned: Can the summit be held on time amid these escalating conflicts? Highlighting that conversely, there are reasons pushing towards holding the summit as scheduled, the Russian-Ukrainian war and its repercussions on the international situation generally and the Arab region specifically accelerate the need for a high-level Arab meeting resulting in a strong position, particularly amid two crises that can only be overcome through Arab solidarity: the energy crisis and the food supplies issue.

Recent developments

On the other hand, Professor of International Relations and International Law, Ismail Khalaf Allah, believes that the Arab summit scheduled in Algeria will be held on its scheduled date, ruling out postponement. He said the current circumstances call for holding the summit, not postponing it, explaining that it has become necessary to hold this summit as soon as possible. He added, "We are about two months away from its scheduled date on the first of November, and I believe that no further delay can be undertaken." He concluded, "There are parties promoting and marketing the postponement of the summit and seeking to disrupt its organization and success with the aim of preventing any Arab consensus or rapprochement that would restore the Arab region’s credibility."

Denial from the Arab League

Meanwhile, a senior official at the General Secretariat of the Arab League denied any intention to postpone the Arab summit, stating in media remarks that reports published on this matter are inaccurate. He pointed out that preparation and readiness for the summit are underway in full swing between the General Secretariat and the Algerian government. He referred to the commencement of the 158th session of the Arab League Council next Sunday at the permanent delegates’ level to prepare for the ministerial session, which will be held next Tuesday, with its main agenda item being preparing the files to be discussed at the Algeria summit, while the League’s Economic and Social Council will conclude preparation of the economic and social files to be presented at the summit.

He explained that the crises in the Arab region, which have worsened recently, will be at the top of the Arab ministerial agenda.

Completion of preparations

The Algerian Prime Minister, Ayman Benabderrahmane, emphasized that the preparations of his country to host the upcoming Arab summit "are progressing rapidly and a significant part has been achieved, enabling us today to anticipate a successful summit that restores Algeria’s shine and enhances its regional and international role."

Benabderrahmane added that work must now focus on completing the summit preparations and ensuring its organizational success, considering that launching the electronic portal is an important part of the preparations, as it ensures taking care of media aspects related to this summit, as well as facilitating the registration of participating Arab delegations and informing them of all organizational arrangements.

He pointed out that "Algeria, which will host the Arab brothers, aspires to achieve its goal of a unifying summit capable of restoring Arab unity and enhancing joint Arab action on the most important issues of the Arab nation."