The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Egypt and Jordan held an “informal” summit in Riyadh on February 21 to discuss a regional plan to replace US President Donald Trump’s proposal to take over the Gaza Strip and relocate Palestinians from their historic territory.
The meeting comes at a crucial time for the region as US President Donald Trump outlines plans to evacuate Palestinians from Gaza and take control of the territory.
President Trump has repeatedly called for the US to “take over” Gaza and resettle its residents to redevelop it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” This idea has been strongly opposed by the Arab world and many other countries, who consider it an act of ethnic cleansing.
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| According to an assessment released by the UN, EU and WB on February 18, Gaza's reconstruction will require more than 50 billion USD. (Source: AA) |
A source close to the Saudi government confirmed that the summit “took place and ended in the afternoon” on February 21, but the content of the discussions was “kept secret,” while no official statement was issued after the meeting.
The source added that Oman did not send a representative to the event, while the other five Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries were present.
Saudi Arabia's official SPA news agency reported that the meeting discussed joint efforts to support the Palestinian cause and developments in Gaza, along with other regional and international issues.
Saudi Arabia's official media reported an "informal, informal meeting" without specifying its content, while Al Ekhbariya TV published a group photo of Arab leaders attending the event in Riyadh.
The meeting was convened by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and was attended by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed; Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim; Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal; Jordanian King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein; Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad; and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
The Egyptian presidency issued a statement saying that President El-Sisi left Riyadh after attending an “informal meeting on the Palestinian issue”.
Even before the meeting, Saudi Arabia tried to dampen expectations by calling the meeting “informal” and saying that key decisions by Arab leaders would be made at the upcoming Arab League (AL) summit in Egypt on March 4.
On February 18, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced that the AL emergency summit would be rescheduled for March 4, instead of February 27, for "preparatory and logistical reasons".
Speaking at the event in Riyadh, UAE King Sheikh Mohamed affirmed that the meeting was “part of efforts to further enhance coordination and consultation among Arab countries” to address regional issues, while highlighting Saudi Arabia's role in organizing the event.
A source close to the Saudi government revealed that the meeting was to discuss “Egypt’s plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip.”
Egypt has not officially announced its plan, but according to retired Egyptian diplomat Mohammed Hegazy, it includes three phases spanning three to five years. In the first phase, which will last six months, heavy equipment will clear debris and establish three safe zones to resettle displaced Gazans, who will be “provided with mobile housing,” he said.
The second phase would require “an international conference on reconstruction.”
Meanwhile, the third phase would be to “relaunch a political process towards a two-state solution” where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace, to resolve the decades-long conflict.
An Arab diplomat said the “biggest challenge” of the Egyptian plan was “financial” and the particularly sensitive issue of managing post-conflict Gaza.
According to an assessment released by the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the World Bank (WB) on February 18, the reconstruction of Gaza will require more than 50 billion USD.
The Rapid Assessment of Damage and Temporary Needs in Gaza and the West Bank (IRDNA) estimated that more than 292,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged, 95% of hospitals are no longer functioning, and the local economy has collapsed by 83%.
A UN damage assessment released last month said clearing more than 50 million tons of rubble in Gaza could take 21 years.
Expert Andreas Krieg from King's College London assessed that this is "a unique opportunity for Saudi Arabia to mobilize all GCC countries, as well as Egypt and Jordan, to define a common stance" on US President Trump's controversial proposal on the Gaza issue.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cang-thang-tai-trung-dong-cac-nha-lanh-dao-arab-ban-ke-hach-thay-the-de-xuat-cua-tong-thong-my-o-dai-gaza-305233.html
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