Amr Moussa, the secretary general of the Arab League, had opened the two-day meeting with a proposal that the 22-nation bloc approach Iran for talks on such issues as Iran’s nuclear program, its regional ambitions and general conflict resolution.
Moussa said, “I realize that some are worried about Iran, but that is precisely why we need a dialogue.”
It was assumed Moussa’s proposal would be adopted and announced in the summit’s final communiqué. But the commun-iqué was silent, suggesting differences among the members over how to deal with Iran.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal indicated his country was one of those opposed. “I do not believe the time has come where we can see that Iran has changed its behavior toward the Arab countries,” he told reporters.
There was speculation the Arab countries around the Persian Gulf wanted to reserve the issue of Iran for themselves and did not want the broader Arab League, which includes Iranian ally Syria, to take over the Iran issue.
The summit in Libya also failed to reach any decision on whether to back indirect negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had wanted Arab League endorsement for such talks. It is thought that he will decline to enter them now that the Arab League has been unable to make up its mind on the idea.
The Arab League often ends its summits in such tangles without clear policy due to the animosities among many members.
The League did agree, however, that Iran must give up its occupation of three islands in the Persian Gulf that are claimed by the United Arab Emirates. The Arab League always includes a paragraph on the disputed islands after every meeting. It is one of the few things the members can agree on.