Draft Baghdad Declaration Urges Inclusive Dialogue in Syria
Asharq Al-Awsat obtained a draft of the declaration, which is divided into three sections: resolutions from the Arab Summit, outcomes of the Development Summit, and 15 initiatives launched by Iraq.
The Palestinian issue dominated the first section of the declaration, which reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause and called for an 'immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza and all acts of aggression exacerbating the suffering of innocent civilians.'
The document urged the international community, particularly influential nations, to 'assume their moral and legal responsibilities' to stop the bloodshed and ensure unhindered delivery of urgent humanitarian aid across all parts of Gaza.
The declaration also called on all nations to provide political, financial, and legal support for the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, adopted at the Cairo emergency summit in March and by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers in Jeddah the same month.
It welcomed Arab proposals to establish a fund for Gaza's reconstruction and stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to pressure for the opening of all border crossings to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Palestinian territories.
The Baghdad Declaration also endorsed the formation of an open-membership working group, in coordination with the United Nations, to establish a fund for caring for Gaza's approximately 40,000 orphans.
It firmly rejected 'any form of forced displacement or relocation of the Palestinian people from their land, under any name, circumstance, or pretext.'
The leaders called for a just and comprehensive peace settlement and backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' call to convene an international peace conference.
They urged irreversible steps toward implementing a two-state solution, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolutions.
The declaration called for the deployment of United Nations peacekeeping and protection forces in the occupied Palestinian territories until the two-state solution is realised. It also urged the UN Security Council to take the necessary steps to implement this solution.
Additionally, it urged Palestinian factions to agree on a unified national vision and strategic roadmap.
The document welcomed recent moves by Spain, Norway, and Ireland to recognize the State of Palestine and reiterated support for South Africa's legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
On Syria, the declaration affirmed respect for the choices of the Syrian people in all their diversity, underscored the importance of Syria's unity and stability, and condemned ongoing Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and violations of its sovereignty.
The leaders stressed the need for an inclusive political transition that preserves social peace and respects the beliefs and sacred sites of all segments of Syrian society. They also welcomed US President Donald Trump's recent announcement to lift sanctions on Syria.
The declaration called for a national dialogue conference involving all Syrian components, praising Iraq's offer, current holder of the Arab League presidency, to host the gathering in coordination with the Arab League's General Secretariat and member states. The goal, it said, is to advance national interests and promote inclusive coexistence in Syria.
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