Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki stated Friday that the reduced representation at the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit (AESD), currently hosted by Beirut, does not undermine its importance.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the most important issue is attending the summit and agreeing on its outcomes that will be binding to participants.
The AESD is being held ahead of a regional summit that has been overshadowed by divisions and controversy over Syria's participation.
Organizers of the AESD, initially said that seven Arab heads of state would attend Sunday's summit which is being held in Lebanon for the first time.
But only two heads of state have arrived, the leaders of Somalia and Mauritania, after several others pulled out despite previously having confirmed their attendance.
Their absence appeared to be a snub to Lebanon, where pro-Syrian groups led by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah have insisted that Syria should be invited.
Commenting on claims that the summit was negatively affecting the Lebanese people, Zaki said: “We sense the great Lebanese interest in hosting the meeting. This will therefore, not affect the summit.”
He revealed that 24 articles will be addressed at the summit’s agenda, all of which achieve Arab interests.
On the absence of senior leaders, Zaki remarked: “This is fodder for the media, but it does not undermine the issues at hand.”
The implementation of the agreements reached at the summit does not hinge on the presence of these leaders, he explained.
He added that Lebanon has made near-exemplary preparations to host the summit.
