BAGHDAD -- Iraq's envoy to the Arab League, Qais al-Azawi, says the upcoming, twenty-third Arab League summit in Baghdad has assumed greater significance in the wake of the Arab Spring popular uprisings.
Azawi told RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq on March 22 that the summit will focus on pan-Arab economic cooperation because he said the current state of inter-Arab economic relations was unacceptable.
The Arab League deputy chief, Ahmed Bin Hilli, speaking at a press conference in Cairo, indicated that the Syria crisis, the Palestinian issue, the situation in Yemen as well as security issues will be among main topics on the agenda.
Baghdad authorities have announced that some 100,000 security personnel will be deployed in the Iraqi capital ahead of the summit.
The March 29 summit will be the first held in Iraq in more than 20 years.
Azawi told RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq on March 22 that the summit will focus on pan-Arab economic cooperation because he said the current state of inter-Arab economic relations was unacceptable.
The Arab League deputy chief, Ahmed Bin Hilli, speaking at a press conference in Cairo, indicated that the Syria crisis, the Palestinian issue, the situation in Yemen as well as security issues will be among main topics on the agenda.
Baghdad authorities have announced that some 100,000 security personnel will be deployed in the Iraqi capital ahead of the summit.
The March 29 summit will be the first held in Iraq in more than 20 years.