Iraq will host the Arab Summit for the first time in more than a decade on Saturday, a symbolic moment for a country still struggling to emerge from decades of war, instability and diplomatic isolation.
Iraqi officials hope the summit will mark a turning point for the country’s regional standing and national pride. While the official agenda will focus on pressing regional issues, the choice of Baghdad as venue is seen as significant.
“Iraqi diplomacy has gained widespread trust among Arabs,” said Hussein Allawi, political adviser to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani.
“The Iraqi government is not satisfied with merely organising the Arab Summit but is pursuing a clear approach to proposing realistic solutions to the Arab crises, enhancing joint co-operation on various issues, and formulating a unified Arab resolution,” Mr Allawi added.
Relations between Iraq and Arab countries were mostly uneasy after the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. This ushered in a Shiite political ascendancy and an increase in Iranian influence over the country.
To counter this, the US in 2007 began to press other Arab states to increase political engagement with Iraq. This led several countries reopening embassies that had been shut because of the poor security situation after 2003 or differences with the country's new government, as well as increased co-operation in a number of fields, a steady stream of visitors from Arab countries, and Baghdad being chosen to host the 2012 Arab Summit.
“The Arab Summit is crucial for Iraq as it demonstrates the country’s commitment to the Arab League and its obligations towards Arab countries and that it believes in the joint Arab action,” said Ihsan Al Shammari, head of the Iraqi Political Thinking Centre in Baghdad.
“Certain factions in Iraq see the summit as a chance to shift perceptions that portray them as anti-Arab or opposed to Arab co-operation,” Mr Al Shammari added.
Crucial summit
The Arab leaders meeting in Baghdad is set to grapple with a host of crises that are testing the region’s stability, including Israel's devastating war in Gaza and the continuing conflicts in Sudan and Libya, the tensions in Lebanon and Yemen, the new order in Syria, and broader security and economic challenges. Food and water security, youth unemployment and the impacts of the climate change will also be addressed.
“Our meeting today comes at a crucial stage in the history of the Arab nation,” Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein told the preparatory ministerial meeting on Thursday. “That requires us to accelerate our efforts, to strengthen bonds of co-operation, and to address crucial issues facing our present and future.”
The foreign ministers approved five initiatives to be presented to the summit, Iraqi government spokesman Basim Al Awadi said. These are: establishing a joint Arab security co-operation room, three centres to fight terrorism, drugs and organised crime, as well as establishing a fund to support recovery and reconstruction after crises.
Iraq is also preparing 18 initiatives to be introduced during the summit, which will be followed by two smaller meetings − one on economic development and the other between Iraq, Jordan and Egypt to discuss increased co-operation, Mr Al Awadi added.
It was not clear on the eve of the summit which leaders would be attending. Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara will not travel to Baghdad, according to Syrian state media, after an invitation from the Iraqi Prime Minister sparked protests over his past links to Al Qaeda. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived for the summit on Thursday night.
More than a summit
The summit has already left its mark on Baghdad.
Two new five-star hotels have opened their doors in time for the meeting, a rare show of foreign investment confidence in a city long shunned by global hospitality brands.
The international airport has been refurbished with gleaming halls, modern lounges, and expanded arrival facilities. The heavily secured airport road, infamous for being one of the world’s most dangerous routes during the height of the insurgency, has been completely overhauled, now lined with palm trees, lush gardens and illuminated fountains.
For many Iraqis, the sight of foreign delegations arriving and the flags of Arab states lining the streets is stirring a sense of pride they have not felt in years.
“For me, this is not just a political summit," said Nazar Mohammed Hassan, a shop owner in Baghdad’s upscale Mansour district. "It’s Iraq’s return to the Arab stage as a sovereign and stable nation
“For years we’ve been defined by war, divisions, and foreign influence. Now we are opening our doors to our Arab brothers as a confident, capable country.”
Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Iraq’s political stability is fragile, its economy heavily reliant on oil, and public trust in state institutions is low.
“I hope that Iraq can benefit from this gathering in bolstering relations and co-operation with Arab states in economy, mainly the Gulf states that have successful economic development experience,” Mr Hassan said.
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
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Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
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Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
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Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
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UK
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HAEMOGLOBIN DISORDERS EXPLAINED
Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.
Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.
The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions - about 450 of the UAE's 2,000 thalassaemia patients - though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.
The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded 45,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.
A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 'new carrier couples' every year and annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.
Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal.
Ads on social media can 'normalise' drugs
A UK report on youth social media habits commissioned by advocacy group Volteface found a quarter of young people were exposed to illegal drug dealers on social media.
The poll of 2,006 people aged 16-24 assessed their exposure to drug dealers online in a nationally representative survey.
Of those admitting to seeing drugs for sale online, 56 per cent saw them advertised on Snapchat, 55 per cent on Instagram and 47 per cent on Facebook.
Cannabis was the drug most pushed by online dealers, with 63 per cent of survey respondents claiming to have seen adverts on social media for the drug, followed by cocaine (26 per cent) and MDMA/ecstasy, with 24 per cent of people.
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
