The 29th Arab League Summit started in Dahran in Saudi Arabia today amid rising tension as world powers face off over Syria and the growing influence of Iran in the region.
In the annual gathering of Arab leaders, Saudi Arabia hopes to push for a unified stand against Iran. The Summit starts a day after US, UK and France launched air strikes on war torn Syria against alleged chemical attack carried on by Assad’s regime in Eastern Ghouta last week.
Syria’s war, the most complex of the region’s conflicts, is the main point of contention pitting Riyadh and its allies against Syrian regime backer Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah.
The fate of Jerusalem, as US plans to move its Embassy after declaring it the capital of Israel is also expected to dominate the Summit.
Although in a long diplomatic stand off for the past nearly 10 months, both Saudi Arabia and Qatar have voiced support for the US led air strike on Syria.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai is leading the UAE’s delegation to the 29th Arab League Summit.
Source: AIR