Egyptian analyst and writer Abdul Moneem Said has emphasized the need for Arab states to support peace efforts and strengthen national authority amid ongoing conflicts in the region. In a recent opinion piece published in Al-Masry Al-Youm, Said noted that while wars can erupt suddenly, peace requires courage, strategic planning, and a commitment to human life and civilization. He stressed that Arab states must work together to promote peace and stability.
Said classified Arab states into two categories: those with no militias and no civil wars, and those with projects for vision and development, and those that have failed or are on the path to failure. He noted that seven Arab states have signed peace treaties with Israel, including Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco, and Mauritania. These states, according to Said, must support each other in their efforts to promote peace and stability.
Said argued that countries outside the current conflict, particularly those with legitimate and internationally recognized governments, are best positioned to promote peace. He called on these countries to support each other economically, politically, and militarily in the face of militia pressure and to isolate these groups to allow national authorities to determine their country's present and future.
To achieve this, Said proposed several steps, including providing economic, political, and military support to Arab states with legitimate governments, denying legitimacy to militias, and establishing a network of communications and research centers to promote public opinion and cohesion. He also emphasized the need to address the Palestinian issue, including the division within the Palestinian people and the need for a unified Palestinian state.
Said also stressed the importance of a regional solution that includes mutual recognition and a just and fair agreement based on 1967 borders. He noted that this cannot be achieved without a comprehensive program of cooperation in various economic and social fields, such as the East Mediterranean Gas Forum. This would involve adopting shared interests and promoting economic development.
The analyst also touched on the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, citing the 1948 Nakba, or catastrophe, that led to the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland. He noted that the Palestinian national liberation movement has failed to achieve national unity, which has hindered its ability to deal with the international community's recognition of Israel.
Finally, Said highlighted the intersection of the Palestinian issue with the so-called "Shi'a issue," noting that many militias that have rebelled against Arab state authority have emerged from the Shi'a community. He argued that this phenomenon has roots in the colonial era and the post-independence period, when there was a failure to address the concerns of minority groups.
Key points
- Abdul Moneem Said calls for Arab states to support peace efforts and strengthen national authority amid ongoing conflicts.
