Arab League condemns Israel over Somaliland recognition
Somalilandpress, March 4, 2010
CAIRO
(Somalilandpress)
— Arab foreign ministers meeting in the Egyptian capital on
Wednesday for their 133rd session have called for diplomatic action
against Israel’s measures that posed a threat to the region and the
peace efforts, as their adopted a draft agenda for the upcoming Arab
summit.
The Arab officials condemned Israel’s inclusion of the Al-Ibrahimi
and Bilal Bin Rabah mosques into its list of historic sites, called
on the UNESCO, Organisation of The Islamic Conference (OIC) and the
international community to take action against the Israeli move.
The Arab leaders have also expressed
concern about recent reports suggesting that Israel might recognize
the Republic of Somaliland. The Arab Councils said they support
unified Somalia just like all Arab League members and will not
tolerate foreign interference in an Arab League member nation.
The Council emphasized that they only recognize one Somalia led by
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and have strongly warned Israel not to
recognize Somaliland.
Somali Minister of Planning and
International Cooperation, Abdurrahman Abdushakour who was present
at the meetings thanked the Arab members in particular Egypt for its
support in the reconciliation process.
The Somali minister has called for
Israel to end the malpractices against the Palestinian people and to
lift the embargo they imposed on the Gaza strip immediately.
Not long ago, Israel expressed
interest in the region and may develop bilateral ties with
Somaliland to access the red sea and Gulf of Aden, however Egypt is
concern about the break-up off Somalia, as it may need Somalia to
fight a proxy war with Ethiopia over the Nile river basin.
Since 1959, Egypt and Sudan have
claimed supremacy over the Nile despite been downstream nations and
now it’s concern about it’s national water resource and thinks
Ethiopia could poses a great threat and for that they need greater
Somalia.
About three months ago, the Egyptian
Ambassador to Somalia, Mr Saed Mohammed Mursi made a visit to
Hargeisa and told local media his government does not recognize
Somaliland. This has angered many locals who accused of him off
trying to bribe the people of Somaliland with small $80, 000 worth
of aid.
“Egypt is a friend of the Somali
people, it will never allow the disintegration and division of
Somalia,” he said.
The Arab foreign Ministers have also
appointed Syria to “manage” any disputes within the Arab States for
the interest of the “whole Arab home”. They have also supported
Syria’s just rights in reclaiming the whole of the Golan Heights to
the June 4, 1967 line.
Regarding Darfur, the Councils thanked
the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani for his
conciliation efforts and for setting up a USD 1 billion fund for
development in Darfur. According to a number of analyst Egypt is
very concern about the break-up of Sudan as it may loose rights to
the Nile. Egypt is also trying to convince the South Sudan to remain
part of Khartoum in order to maintain the 1959 Nile Waters Treaty
between Egypt and Sudan.
Finally the Council formed a legal
committee to document Israeli acts of destabilization and
Judaization of the holy city of Jerusalem.
In a related development, a Somaliland
official speaking on condition of anonymity told Somalilandpress
that Somaliland intellectuals and leaders in Canada will be holding
a closed-door discussion with Israeli and Canadian officials on
Saturday 6th of March in a disclosed location. The historical
meeting is designed to pave the way for a diplomatic strategy and a
political platform to put in motion the historic move to recognise
the Republic of Somaliland after almost 20 years of international
isolation.
The Israelis will include officials
from the government, business community, youth and other fields.
Somaliland has no diplomatic ties with
Israel but lately there has been a huge interest between the two
nations. If Israel recognises Somaliland, it could pave the way for
international recognitions in particular among the Western nations
whom Israel has close ties with.
