Saudis, long known for behind-the-scenes diplomacy that has defused many a regional crisis, have now taken the lead in regional politics.
At the recently concluded 19th Arab summit in Riyadh, King Abdullah minced no words when he stated in his opening remarks that Arab leaders were much to blame for the divisions in the Arab world that have led to a lack of growth and civil unrest.
Touching upon the region’s turbulence and the discord that has sprung within “brotherly” countries, King Abdullah stated that Arabs today were less united than they were 60 years ago when the Arab League was formed, and the resulting disunity should not continue to forge their destiny. “The blame should fall on us, the leaders of the Arab nation, with our ongoing differences and our refusal to walk the path of unity. All that has made the Arab nation lose confidence in us,” he added.
He also stated that the American occupation of Iraq was illegitimate, and warned those present that unless they acted to address and resolve their individual differences, outsiders would continue to dictate politics within the region. “In beloved Iraq, blood is flowing between brothers, in the shadow of an illegitimate foreign occupation, and abhorrent sectarianism threatens a civil war,” said Abdullah.
Clearly, this was not a speech that fell in line with the interests of outsiders. The Saudis were taking a stand — and one not of aggression but realization that if this region is going anywhere it would be up to Arab leaders and not outsiders to take the helm and steer the course toward peace, understanding and cooperation.
In that context, the Saudi leadership once again reiterated that peace with Israel was very possible. In return for Israeli withdrawal from all territories it occupied in the 1967 war, King Abdullah’s peace plan, widely accepted at the summit, called for normalization of relations between Arabs and the State of Israel.
The Saudis do not want war with the Israelis, nor do they want Israel wiped off the map. Coexistence with Israel could be achieved, provided it honors the rights of the Palestinians.
King Abdullah had earlier advised Ahmadinejad of Iran that adventurism in regional affairs could threaten the stability of the entire region, and it was in Iran’s interest to address its differences diplomatically. Another war would serve no one’s interests in the Middle East.
Saudis were unquestionably highly moved by the tone of their king’s opening remarks. Having suffered from weak resolutions in the previous Arab summits, they sense that the time has come for a change. A region that has witnessed explosive growth and burgeoning oil revenues is best served by peace among its neighbors. The killings in Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq, Sudan and Lebanon do not advance their interests.
Saudis feel that the king did indeed steal the show, not out of a desire for showmanship, but because of a deep-rooted and genuine concern that this was indeed the time to move out of political inertia and take charge of matters near and dear to us. And not just to Saudis only. Peace in the region would benefit every living soul in the Middle East.
