Surprising Shift in Arab Politics: Ahmad al-Sharaa’s Warm Reception at Cairo Summit
A Historic Welcome for the Syrian Leader After Years of Hostility, Signaling Changing Alliances in the Arab World.
Watan-In a surprising and dramatic turn, the emergency Arab summit in Cairo warmly welcomed the head of the Syrian interim government, Ahmad al-Sharaa, with an official reception. He found himself embraced by the leaders of Arab nations after years of hostility and boycott.
This summit, which aimed to discuss developments in Gaza, witnessed a historic moment when al-Sharaa shook hands with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, a scene no one could have predicted just months ago.
Al-Sharaa’s plane landed in Cairo following a brief visit to Amman as part of a regional tour aimed at cementing his legitimacy as the leader of post-Assad Syria. At the summit headquarters, Sisi was there to welcome him, a man who had long supported Bashar al-Assad’s regime both publicly and privately, before the alliances shifted. The mutual smile between the two leaders was nothing but a sign of changing political dynamics, where al-Sharaa is no longer just a leader of an armed faction, but a key player in Syria’s future.
Ahmad al-Sharaa’s Surprising Reception at Arab Summit Signals Shifting Alliances
In his speech at the summit, al-Sharaa not only presented his vision regarding the Syrian crisis but also used the platform to firmly oppose Israeli plans to displace the residents of Gaza. His rejection of proposals from Washington and Netanyahu aligned with the positions of the Arab nations, but at the same time, he highlighted the situation in southern Syria, where Israel seeks to entrench its presence, which he considered a violation of Syria’s sovereignty.
What truly sparked controversy was how the Arab leaders dealt with al-Sharaa. He was warmly received in Riyadh, celebrated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, and was clearly endorsed by the UAE. These shifts indicate a reordering of alliances in the region, with Arab capitals seemingly accepting al-Shara as a political partner, overlooking his past leadership of the terrorist-designated “Jabhat al-Nusra.”
Today, after once being pursued internationally, al-Sharaa found himself surrounded by the applause of Arab leaders, who overlooked his jihadi history and embraced him as the new political leader of Syria. Does this mean that al-Sharaa has become part of the official Arab system? Or is this merely a tactical step in a broader equation where Arab capitals are attempting to redraw the balance of power in the region?
