Moussa: Not a Uniform “Arab Spring”
Amr Moussa, Secretary-General of the Arab League discussed the implications of the “Arab Spring”.
The Deauville Summit marks the first time the Arab League has been invited to participate in discussion with the G8. Moussa relayed that talks covered the developments in the Arab world, most especially the revolutions of the “Arab Spring” and the challenges they are currently facing. Additionally, specific commitments to Egypt and Tunisia were made in the form of aid.
When asked about Libya and the possibility of a Russian mediation, Moussa said several international organizations are deciphering what kind of political initiative can be taken to move things along. “The point is that a ceasefire should be a first step. A genuine ceasefire under international observation, and the end of all hostilities. The difficulty is clear.”
Moussa insisted the departure of Gaddafi is a crucial point, but reflected that “knowing the man” such a conclusion would need to be hard pressed. He could not, however, offer any suggestion for where Gaddafi could hypothetically seek asylum.
When asked about whether revolutions across the Arab world had eclipsed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Moussa was quick to respond: “The Arab demonstrations are not there to drop the Palestinian question. No Arab citizen is ready to drop it.”
As the “Arab Spring” has taken prominence in the minds of journalists this Summit, other questions posed to the Secretary-General concerned developments in Syria and Yemen. Changes in the Arab world, he clarified, are not occurring in uniform way, but is one based on democracy, reform and development.
