cfc- in focus-the emerging role of the arab league, 14 february 2012
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C I V I L - M I L I T A R Y F U S I O N C E N T R E
Mediterranean Review 14 February 2012Comprehensive Information on Complex Crises
The Emerging Role of the Arab League By Linda Lavender
A Stimson Center article dated 22 November 2011 asserts that emerging new political realities
across North Africa and the Middle East have impacted the role of regional organisations like the
Arab League, whose creation in 1945 sought to “foster close relations between Arab states, pro-
tect their independence and sovereignty and to discuss relevant Arab issues”. According to the
article, the Arab League’s effectiveness has been in question for decades; however, , in light of
the Arab Spring, the Arab League has now taken on an important new role within the region.
The Arab League in Libya
In March 2011, as the Arab Spring swept across North African countries and civil war broke ou
in Libya, the Arab League intervened by calling on the United Nations Security Council to im
pose a no-fly zone over Libya in efforts to protect innocents, according to the Telegraph. The
Financial Times stated that the Arab League’s decision to call for a no-
fly zone was critical towinning American support for UN Resolution 1973 and simultaneously increased pressure on
Europe and the United States to embark on limited military action against the Gaddafi regime.
Additionally, to distance itself from the Gaddafi regime, the Arab League sent a clear message to
the international community by denying two Gaddafi envoys seeking to attend the Arab League
meetings, meanwhile agreeing to an audience with representatives from the self -declared provi
sional government in eastern Libya, according to the article. While some Arab League members
were steadfast in their support of the UN resolution, other important regional players – notably
Saudi Arabia, Syria and Algeria - were more cautious in their support. The Telegraph reports tha
critics of these countries were quick to point out that these nations were concerned about con-
fronting similar popular uprisings within their own countries. One observer at the Arab League
Cairo conference told the Telegraph, “They [the aforementioned countries] are worried that nex
week, it will be them who are having a no-fly zone imposed.”
The Arab League in Syria
UN Resolution 1973, authorising military intervention in Libya, was adopted by the UN Security
Council 17 March. Popular protests within Syria began two days earlier on 15 March 2011, ac
cording to al Jazeera. Thousands of Syrians marched in the streets, demanding their freedom
after 40 years of the Assad dictatorship, reports CBS News. The Syrian revolution met with in
creasingly violent government crackdowns against protesting citizens. Much of what the world
saw of the Syrian revolution came from mobile phone videos broadcasting demonstrations that
were met with brutality from Assad security forces reported al Jazeera. With escalating violence
and civilian deaths, the Arab League began work to mediate the conflict. Euronews reported 19
December that Syria had signed an Arab League peace plan aimed to end months of bloodshed
In Focus Excerpted from MB Weekly 14 February 2012
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According to the article, the agreement paved the way for Arab League observes to monitor the situation on the ground. Syria’s ac-
ceptance of the peace deal came after the suspension of Syria from Arab League membership in November 2011.
Approximately 60 Arab League observers arrived in Syria on 26 December amidst some of the worst violence in months, reported
the New York Times. Opposition groups within Syria quickly criticised the mission as a ploy by Assad’s regime to stall for time as it
continued its crackdowns. According to the article, concerns regarding the monitors’ freedom of movement, as well as the qualifica-
tions of those participating in the mission, were raised as the Arab League had historically not participated in fact -finding missions.
The Telegraph reported on 11 January that an Arab League observer quit the mission, saying he had witnessed “scenes of horror”
that he was powerless to prevent in his role. Subsequently, 55 monitors from the Gulf Arab states also withdrew from the mission
after Syria rejected an Arab League proposed plan for President al Assad to surrender power to a transitional governing entity, re- ports Reuters. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a statement in which they asserted: “[we are] certain the bloodshed and
killing of innocents would continue, and that the Syrian regime would not abide by the Arab League’s resolutions.” Although the
Arab League agreed to a one-month extension of the mission, on 24 January, Reuters indicated that the League chief sought UN as-
sistance in ending the violence.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that, on 4 February, the UN Security Council vetoed an Arab League-drafted resolution that
called for an end to the “carnage” and urged Assad to step down. According to the article, the Security Council vote took place on
the bloodiest day of violence since the start of the unrest. Syrian troops are alleged to have “massacred” 200 people on the same day
as China and Russia vetoed the resolution drafted by the Arab League. Activists confirmed reports of a massacre that had occurred in
the city of Homs killing “scores of people” while the government of al Assad denied the attacks, accusing the opposition of propa-
ganda, reported BBC .
The Arab League has not abandoned its efforts to obtain a UN resolution, condemning the violent crackdowns in Syria, reports
Bloomberg . Currently, the League is considering approval for its plan to have Syrian President al Assad step aside by a vote in the
193-member General Assembly. The Stimson Center indicates that the League’s “new found sense of determination” regarding Syr-
ia reflects the enhanced standing it achieved in the chaotic climate of the Arab uprisings. On 12 February, Reuters reports that Arab
League ministers issued a proposed joint United Nations-Arab peacekeeping mission for Syria and, in a bold move, pledged to pro-
vide political as well as material aid to Syrian government opposition.
The Arab League played a key part in the Libyan conflict helping to facilitate the UN resolution authorising military intervention,
states the Guardian. Once again, the Arab League is demonstrating “strong and clear ” commitment and leadership in resolving the
Syrian crisis, reports al Arabiya. Clearly, the stakes are higher, asserts the Stimson Center, as Syria lies at the centre of a web of re-
gional relationships involving Iran, Lebanon and Israel. The Arab League is acutely aware that al Assad’s fall will mean the reshuf-
fling of the region’s political dynamics.