Arab Liaison Committee on Syria to meet in Baghdad amid intensified diplomatic efforts

The Arab Liaison Committee on Syria, which includes the foreign ministers of Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt, as well as the Secretary-General of the Arab League, is set to meet in Baghdad in the coming weeks, according to a report from pro-Syrian regime media outlet Al-Watan.

The committee, formed in May 2023, has only met once amid scepticism over the Syrian regime's willingness to make significant concessions. Concerns over Damascus's lack of genuine engagement in peace processes overshadowed the initial meeting in Cairo. The upcoming conference in Baghdad comes after a delay caused by regional focus on the Gaza conflict, where efforts were concentrated on halting violence against civilians.

The decision to convene in Baghdad highlights the city's growing role in regional diplomacy. The committee's objective is to find a collective approach to the Syrian crisis, countering the Syrian regime's preference for separate negotiations with individual states, a strategy that has faced resistance from other committee members.

A source from Al-Watan, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that Arab diplomatic efforts have recently intensified to ensure the meeting goes ahead smoothly. "There is a firm Arab commitment to holding this meeting soon," the source added.

Regional Dynamics and Baghdad's Role

Baghdad's role in regional diplomacy is expanding beyond the Syrian conflict. Baghdad is currently known to be playing a role in the "rapprochement" between Syria and Turkey.

The Iraqi capital is also preparing to host a major regional conference of interior ministers this month, including officials from Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iran, Turkey and other countries. The conference aims to launch the Regional Center for Combating Drugs, enhancing cooperation to tackle the escalating drug crisis in the region.

This dual diplomatic effort underscores Baghdad's emerging status as a hub for addressing regional issues. The city has also been proposed as a venue for the Syrian Constitutional Committee, although this initiative has faced objections from Turkey, which represents the Syrian opposition.

The Arab Liaison Committee on Syria was established in response to the protracted Syrian civil war, which has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of millions. The committee's formation followed renewed efforts by the Arab League to play a more active role in resolving the Syrian conflict.

According to pro-regime media outlet al-Watan, the Arab Liaison Committee on Syria will convene in Baghdad soon.

The regime's preference to separate the tracks and work with individual states instead is being clearly resisted.

The Committee comprises the foreign ministers of… pic.twitter.com/NVp0rCD3KV

— Karam Shaar كرم شعّار (@Karam__Shaar) July 1, 2024

The committee's mandate includes facilitating dialogue between the Syrian regime and opposition groups, encouraging political reforms, and coordinating humanitarian assistance. However, its effectiveness has been limited by differing interests among member states and the Syrian regime’s reluctance to engage in meaningful negotiations.

Upcoming Challenges

The upcoming meeting in Baghdad will test the committee's ability to unify its members around a common strategy for Syria. The Syrian regime's strategy of engaging with individual states rather than the collective committee has hindered progress and raised questions about the prospects for a comprehensive peace settlement.

Analysts suggest that the meeting will need to address key issues such as ceasefire agreements, political reforms, and the facilitation of humanitarian aid to affected areas. The success of the meeting could hinge on the ability of the committee members to present a united front and push for concrete actions from the Syrian regime.

Any resolution to the Syrian conflict must adhere to UN Security Council Resolution No. 2254, which mandates an end to hostilities by all parties and calls for formal negotiations. Members of the Arab Liaison Committee are expected to submit regular reports on progress to the Arab League Council. 

However, the involvement of the UN's Envoy for Syria in this process remains ambiguous. 

The Arab countries severed diplomatic ties with Syria following accusations that President Bashar al-Assad's regime, with support from Iran and Russia, was responsible for the deaths of thousands during a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011.