Arab League summit kicks off in Jeddah with Assad in attendance

It has been reported that Arab League members are discussing "at the highest level" a plan to send Syrian refugees back to their war-torn country, despite warnings from human rights groups of the dire consequences if they return.

Hundreds of Syrians demonstrated across rebel-held northern Syria against Assad's participation in the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia, chanting "The people want the fall of the regime". 

Read here for more info on protests erupting in rebel-held areas:

Qatar's Emir Tanim bin Hamad al-Thani reportedly left before Assad's address to the Arab league summit. 

Al-Thani, who in 2018 called Assad a "war criminal", left Jeddah after leading his country's delegation, according to a statement by Qatar's Emiri Diwan.

The statement was distributed while Assad was making his address.

سمو الأمير المفدى يغادر مدينة جدة بالمملكة العربية السعودية الشقيقة، بعد ترؤسه وفد دولة قطر في القمة العربية الـ32. https://t.co/pOPFvLAPbs

— الديوان الأميري (@AmiriDiwan) May 19, 2023

As Assad flew to Saudi Arabia to attend the Arab League summit, Angeline Jolie sent a message for support for Syrian refugees. Coincidence? We'll let you be the judge of that.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Angelina Jolie (@angelinajolie)

While the Arab League summit goes on amid talks of peace, Israeli military use stun grenades and gas at the entrance of Temple Mount near the Lion's Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem.

More updates to come. 

"We are pushing occupiers out of our land. Anyone who defends his native land from invaders, and anyone who defends the children of his nation... is on the path of justice."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the Arab League summit:

“There are those among you who turn a blind eye to the annexation of Crimea,” Zelensky said at the Arab League summit. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Saudi Arabia supports efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis and stands ready to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/3WSx44q4Ec

— Mike (@Doranimated) May 19, 2023

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune will not attend the Arab Summit held in Saudi Arabia this Friday, but why is local media blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky?

The moment many Syrians have been dreading has now happened.

Bashar al Assad has entered the Arab League to a great fanfare from attendees, including Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who stopped Assad for a photo opportunity.

The Syrian regime's official twitter page tweeted Bashar al Assad officially arriving at the headquarters of the Arab Summit:

وصول الرئيس بشار الأسد إلى مقر انعقاد القمة العربية. pic.twitter.com/GwbDhNKrCK

— Syrian Presidency (@Presidency_Sy) May 19, 2023

President Bashar al Assad met with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE and head of the Emirati delegation participating in the Arab Summit:

الرئيس #بشار_الأسد يلتقي الشيخ #منصور_بن_زايد آل نهيان نائب رئيس دولة #الإمارات العربية المتحدة رئيس الوفد الإماراتي المشارك في القمة العربية. pic.twitter.com/MO7Sjdb4HC

— Syrian Presidency (@Presidency_Sy) May 19, 2023

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Jeddah to attend the Arab League summit, where he is due to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other leaders and strengthen ties between Ukraine and the Arab world. 

Beginning my first-ever visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance bilateral relations and Ukraine’s ties with the Arab world. Political prisoners in Crimea and temporarily occupied territories, the return of our people, Peace Formula, energy cooperation. KSA plays a…

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 19, 2023

Bashar Al-Assad has already met Tunisian President Kais Said, a man who has been slammed as a "dictator" by many Tunisian activists due to his recent power grab. 

A tweet from the Syrian Presidency's official twitter account confirmed the meeting and reads: 

"President Bashar al Assad met with Tunisian President Kais Said before his participation in the Arab summit, which begins in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The two presidents discussed bilateral relations between the two fraternal countries and bilateral cooperation in various fields."

التقى الرئيس #بشار_الأسد الرئيس التونسي #قيس_سعيّد على هامش مشاركته في القمة العربية التي تبدأ أعمالها في #جدة #السعودية. وبحث الرئيسان العلاقات الثنائية بين البلدين الشقيقين والتعاون الثنائي في مختلف المجالات. pic.twitter.com/urnkrYfHu8

— Syrian Presidency (@Presidency_Sy) May 19, 2023

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially and "warmly" welcomed the Syrian regime's President Bashar al Assad in a tweet that reads:

"Welcome, His Excellency President Bashar al Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic to participate in the Jeddah summit"

#جدة | أهلاً بكم فخامة الرئيس بشار الأسد رئيس الجمهورية العربية السورية للمشاركة في #قمة_جدة pic.twitter.com/L5Eyzue8qQ

— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) May 18, 2023

Assad will attend the Arab League summit today, 12 years after the Syrian regime was suspended from the body for the mass killing of peaceful protestors. 

It comes after Arab nations took steps to normalise ties with the Syrian regime in recent years, despite continued anger from Syrians who have been victims of Assad's relentless barrel bombing, disappearances, and massacres. 

Read this story for an overview of Syria's return to the league.