The Arab League's Regressive Role

[Joumana Gebara]

I describe the Arab League as a born cripple, excuse my straight language, but the Arab League has either to restructure or it should be completely eliminated since it played a destructive role so far.

With the Alexandria Protocol of 1944 which obliged Lebanon to promote the Palestinian cause, the Arab League Agreement of 1945 (Including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia) aimed to reinforce the Palestinian cause.

But why did Lebanon sign the agreement back then?

Lebanon was not able to absorb the Palestinian flow but the Lebanese government lacking vision signed the agreement and "thought" as such Syria would finally acknowledge Lebanon as an independent state. Only on 2009 (64 years laters) Syria and Lebanon began exchanging diplomatic relationships, a superficiality par excellence.

That was the first double failure with extremely negative consequences for Lebanon as founder and member of the Arab League.



Did Lebanon benefit from the Arab League?

With or without the membership in the Arab League Lebanon could have established trade with the Arab countries (Ma fi mahrab). Lebanon could have been the decision maker for trade, just the opposite occurred, instead of being in the strong position, and the porta to the West with a port to the Middle East, Lebanon abused and in the weaker position through the Arab League agreement whether on the political (Palestinian cause/Syria's attitude toward Lebanon/etc.) or on the economic level (Benefit from gas and oil/Syria's boycott and theft/etc.).

Another blow in the face of Lebanon because of the Arab League.


Arab League on the social level

Regress everywhere even on the sociological level. After the foundation of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALESCO) and the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League's Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU), which were fruitless and only through the genuine work of Lebanese progress occurred, suddenly we were introduced with the ISESCO (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2001 through Hariri. ISESCO was established by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in May 1979 as one of the largest international Islamic organizations having the objectives of strengthening and promoting and consolidating cooperation among Member States (OIC) in the fields of education, science, culture and communication, developing applied sciences and use of advanced technology within the framework of Islamic values and ideals, consolidating understanding among Muslim peoples. The bill was presented to the Lebanese parliament in 2004 but was boycotted through the awareness campaign made by Christian journalists who highlighted how discriminating toward other religions such an organization is.

There again Lebanon did not benefit from the Arab League but was about to lose its unique religious mixture.


The Taef Agreement as part of the Arab League's Role

Syria became completely rooted and led Lebanon around 500 years backwards after stealing and destroying the country. The Christians lost their govenmental element and secularism was never the intention. No social or economic development occured.


Again regress

Women and children role through the Arab League

If we do not want to lie to ourselves, only through the role of Lebanon's Christians women reached more chances, children are still neglected since they are not voters nor gun carriers. In the rest of the Arab world a thin line of progress. Education is still not the major focus and element. Less literarcy but no intention in investing in genius brains, no programms.

Complete failure of the Arab League.


Arab League verse Israel (Schizophrenic Characteristics)

In March 2009, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi stormed out of the Arab League summit in Qatar having denounced the Saudi king for his ties with the West. He disrupted the opening session by criticising King Abdullah, calling him a British product and an American ally. In 2002 Gaddafi announced Libya's disattachment from the Arab League. Gaddafi had also proposed the one solution state "Isratine".

Egypt's membership was suspended in 1979 after it signed the Egyptian–Israeli Peace Treaty, and the League's headquarters were moved from Cairo to Tunis. In 1987, Arab countries restored diplomatic relations with Egypt and the country was readmitted to the league in 1989 while the league's headquarters moved back to Cairo. In September 2006, Venezuela was accepted as an observer, and India in 2007.



Arab League and economic exchange

The Arab League is rich in resources, with enormous oil and natural gas resources; it also has great fertile lands in South of the Sudan, usually referred to as the food basket of the Arab World. The region's instability has not affected its tourism industry, that is considered the fastest growing industry in the region, with Egypt, UAE, Algeria, Tunisia, and Jordan leading the way. Another industry that is growing steadily in the Arab League is telecommunications. Within less than a decade, local companies such as Orascom and Etisalat have managed to compete internationally.

Economic achievements initiated by the League amongst member states have been less impressive than those achieved by other smaller Arab organizations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). However, several promising major economic projects are set to be completed soon. Among them is the Arab Gas Pipeline, scheduled to be accomplished in 2010. It will transport Egyptian and Iraqi gas to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey. The Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), planned to come into effect on January 1, 2008, will render 95% of all Arab products free of customs, never occurred.

Economic development in the Arab League is very disparate. Significant difference in wealth and economic conditions exist between the rich oil states of UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Algeria on the one hand, and poor countries like the Comoros, Mauritania, and Djibouti on the other hand. Arab economic funding is under development. As an example, the Arab League agreed to support the Sudanese region of Darfur with 500 million dollars, and Egyptian and Libyan companies are planning to build several wells in this dry area. (Source: Wikipedia)


Comparisons with other organizations

A UAR stamp commemorating important Arab League datesThe Arab League resembles the Organization of American States, the Council of Europe, and the African Union, in that it has primarily political aims. However, membership in the league is based on culture rather than geographical location. In this respect, the Arab League resembles organizations such as the Latin Union or the Caribbean Community.

The Arab League differs notably from the European Union, in that it has not achieved a significant degree of regional integration and the organization itself has no direct relations with the citizens of its member states. However, the Arab League is based on principles that support and promote a unified Arab nationalism and a common position among Arabic states on various issues.

All Arab League members are also members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. In turn, the memberships of the smaller GCC and Arab Maghreb Union organizations are subsets of that of the league. (Source: Wikipedia)


After this short overview, the question is:

Why did Lebanon stay so passive toward the consequences of such a League?

[Placebo]

u're serious? still talking about the arab league? it's role reached the regression bottom like 40 years ago.

forget about it.

[4U2IMI8]

The Arab league is an extremely vital entity.
Its major and fundamental role is to meet and come out with a unified decision regarding key concerns in the Arabic world, and nation members.
Even though this unified decision is always dictated to them by an outside force, usually the USA, their meeting is essential to maintain their self esteem, self worth and importance.

[Joumana Gebara]

Placebo, You made me laugh so much about this ironical truth,

BUT

Jumblatt few days ago talked about Lebanon's Arabic status
Nadim Gemayel today defended "Lebnen Awalan" as not directed against the Arabs
Amin Gemayel had a slavery speech supporting Taef, Hariri and the Arabs

etc.

So my question and i insist, what did Lebanon so far benefit from being in the Arab League?

As to what 4U2 commented: I agree with you that their decision is dictated from the outside specifically from the USA, but they are still divided upon each others (Thanks God in this case). However the economic and social aspect is left out although it should be playing a major role for the league. At least in those two fields the Arabs should have offered a more coherent objective and execution.

[Boris]

Originally Posted by Joumana Gebara

So my question and i insist, what did Lebanon so far benefit from being in the Arab League?

or from just being "Arab"

our benefits were:
15+ years of war,
18+ years of corruption,
Palestinians welcomed as Lebanese citizens,
Being the Saudis' summer compound,
getting Lebanese citizens in trouble at all international airports,
being at the mercy of our Arab comrades and always abiding by their rules,
etc...

so proud to be an Arab :)

[Danny Z]

I prefer the bundesliga, at least it is more fun

[elias-aj]

Honestly, I don't know if I can speak about the Arab league without making ironical comments and / or making fun of it.

What did the Arab League bring to Lebanon ? Nothing.

Anyway, what could the Arab League bring to the arab countries ? Arab countries are so divided that this "thing" can not work. Egypt tried to use it to assert its authority. Same with KSA. The Arab League was either used as a tool in the seek for regional power, or as some kind of "thing" where dictators meet themselves in order to tek 7anak, solve their personnal issues or making some nice arabic poetry (and offer to the israelis one more reason to make fun of us).

I would love to see this thing turned into a real political institution, like the EU. But the conditions are not met yet, even on the economical level. There are too many differences between our legal and tax system and the systems implemented in the other countries. As a consequence, it would seem normal to leave it but it would be considered as a declaration of war, unfortunately.

[Robin Hood]

Originally Posted by Joumana Gebara

Did Lebanon benefit from the Arab League?

It's like asking if the sky is red. For that reason, I think it would be better for Lebanon to withdraw from this club of uncivilized people.
If only Lebanon was in Europe or very close, we would have been able to join the civilized European Union. I suggest Lebanon works on upgrading it's ties to the maximum possible level with the EU, unfortunately, as a backward uncivilized country, we can't do much.

PS: I already opened a thread abt the AL.

[Joumana Gebara]

you really have a high opinion of this great and valuable Arab League :) (baynetna, although it is a serious thread, bas faratet de7ek)

But why is no one doing anything about it? Lebanon cannot survive without proper internal and external factirs influencing it just like any other country.
It is high time to concentrate on agreements whether Arab League or others and check what is best for Lebanon in order to survive economically and politically.

PS: I know de2 l may may but someone has to begin.

[only1]

Arab League become WAILING WALL for losers
Like GMA said they give Aspirin tablets for serious diseases