Monday November 11, 2024
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud meets with Saudi officials during an emergency summit in Riyadh focused on addressing the escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon. The summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia, has brought together leaders from the Arab and Islamic world to discuss regional stability and humanitarian solutions. CREDIT/ Villa Somalia
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Riyadh on Monday to join an emergency summit of Arab and Islamic leaders convened by Saudi Arabia. The summit is focused on addressing escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon.
Organized by Saudi Arabia in response to ongoing conflicts involving Israel, Gaza, and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, the summit has drawn leaders from across the Arab and Islamic world. President Mohamud is expected to participate in bilateral talks with Saudi King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and other regional heads of state, discussing cooperative measures to stabilize the region and alleviate civilian suffering.
In a statement, the Somali presidency highlighted the "shared responsibility" of Arab and Islamic nations to support peace and security during this period of heightened tension. The summit builds on a similar meeting held in Riyadh last year, during which the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League condemned violence in Gaza.
This year's gathering occurs in the wake of intensified hostilities. The conflict began with a large-scale attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in substantial casualties. In response, Israeli forces have launched a blistering counteroffensive in Gaza, leading to over 43,600 civilian deaths, according to Gaza's health ministry, figures that have been verified by the United Nations.
The situation has further deteriorated with the involvement of Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which began firing on Israel following the October 7 attack. In recent weeks, Israel escalated its military operations in southern Lebanon, intensifying the region's volatility.
On Sunday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan chaired a preparatory meeting to set the agenda for the summit, which will include a discussion on immediate and long-term strategies to mitigate the crisis. Leaders from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Lebanon have already arrived in Riyadh.
The summit is likely to conclude with a strong communique calling for an immediate end to the genocide in Gaza as regional leaders seek to unify their response to the crisis. Given the escalating civilian casualties and Saudi Arabia's diplomatic ambitions, the communique will almost certainly condemn Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon, demand an immediate ceasefire, and urge for humanitarian corridors to address the desperate needs of those affected.
The summit's outcome will almost certainly reinforce Saudi Arabia's goal of positioning itself as a mediator.
While the language is expected to be resolute, the practical impact of such a communique may be limited. Saudi Arabia and other nations will likely use the statement to exert pressure on international stakeholders, particularly the United States and European Union, to reassess their stances and encourage diplomatic intervention.