Algeria: Disputed issues unresolved, to be raised at Arab FMs meeting

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Algeria's permanent representative to the Arab League, Abdel Hamid Shabira, said today during a press conference that there are controversial issues that can't be resolved and that they will be raised at the preparatory meeting of the Arab foreign ministers.  

He added that some topics of discussion included the Renaissance Dam crisis and that the Egyptian, Sudanese, and Ethiopian points of view were heard before a proposal on the file was submitted. 

The Algerian representative stated that all differences should be aimed at developing the surroundings of the Arab countries, with Iran on one side and Turkey on the other, considering that they are powerful countries in the region and play a significant role in the political and economic sphere. 

He added that there are serious proposals to reform the Arab League and develop its performance to promote Arab work, adding that the issue of rotating the Arab League's General Secretariat was not raised in the session.

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Shabira stressed the will to enable the Arab League states to keep pace with the developments in terms of modernization, adding that Algeria has made great efforts to bring together the views of the Palestinian factions," expressing that there is a tendency to establish a follow-up committee to implement the provisions of this statement.

He added that at the delegates' level, the new dynamic between Syria and some Arab countries was highly praised within a set of principles, including non-interference in Syria's internal affairs and the preservation of its territorial integrity, as a prelude to the gradual return of relations with Syria and the Arab League. 

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The Libyan file received great attention in the delegates’ discussions, Shabira stated, adding that Algeria has a vision to resolve the crisis and it is in direct contact with the active parties in order to "get Libya out of the dark tunnel," which is only possible through dialogue and elections. 

He concluded that it is imperative to develop the performance of the Arab League because it "does not live up to the aspirations of the Arab people."