KUWAIT, Dec 30 (KUNA) -- Amid major breakthroughs and stability challenges, Arab countries saw developments in 2025, including a deal ending Gaza’s war, Syria’s return to the Arab fold lifting sanctions, and Lebanon’s deadlock broken by Joseph Aoun as president.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese crisis continued producing grave humanitarian and security repercussions as the conflict entered its third year, while Libya remained vulnerable to tensions, and the Moroccan Sahara issue resurfaced following a Security Council decision.
Throughout the year, the Arab world intensified efforts supporting the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution amid Gaza’s genocidal war since October 2023, holding successive emergency meetings including the Arab Palestine Summit and Arab League sessions.
Outcomes of a high-level international conference hosted by the United Nations in New York last September on peacefully settling the Palestinian issue and implementing the two-state solution reflected international consensus on advancing the two-state solution.
The UN Security Council adopted the US President Donald Trump's plan to end the Gaza war, establishing an international force for disarmament and reconstruction, alongside landmark recognitions of the State of Palestine by several countries.
The Palestinian people showed exceptional steadfastness against Israeli occupation aggression, as Arab states firmly rejected forced displacement and genocide, while Gaza endured catastrophic humanitarian deterioration, with tens of thousands killed and wounded, and destruction across services.
In the framework of Arab economic and development integration, 2025 saw the announcement of a comprehensive Arab food security strategy during the fifth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in May, as well as approval of establishing the Arab Customs Affairs Council in early July.
In a unified Arab response to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s secession from Somalia, the Arab League session adopted measures to cooperate with Somalia, the African Union and the United Nations, and urge Security Council action.
Arab League efforts also included updating the Arab Model Law on combating drugs and psychotropic substances, and strengthening cooperation with international blocs, particularly within the Arab sphere, through a memorandum of understanding with the Gulf Organization for Research and Development.
The League’s agenda highlighted rising Arab interest in soft power and human development, launching the ninth Arab Media Excellence Award, hosting a forum on language and identity in the age of artificial intelligence, and promoting internet safety awareness.
Lebanon ended a prolonged presidential vacuum in 2025 with the election of President Joseph Aoun, followed by government formation and the launch of key reforms targeting the banking sector, judicial independence, and banking secrecy laws.
The government also secured IMF emergency financial support and held municipal elections in May, marking the first local polls since 2016 despite ongoing political and economic pressures.
Meanwhile, security tensions persisted along the southern border as Israeli forces continued ceasefire violations, prompting intensified Lebanese army deployment in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Iraq pursued ongoing efforts throughout the year to enhance security and economic stability, hosting major Arab events including the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, which featured 18 Arab political, economic, and security initiatives.
Syria experienced an exceptional phase since early 2025 to fill constitutional and political vacuums, consolidate the new state, rebuild and unify institutions under new leadership, and restore regional and international relations after the fall of the Syrian regime at the end of 2024.
President Ahmad Al-Sharaa assumed office at the end of January, followed by the formation of a new government in late March, the signing a draft constitutional declaration, and an agreement to integrate Syrian Democratic Forces into state institutions.
Despite internal clashes in Sweida and Israeli airstrikes, Syria overcame major challenges in 2025 as diplomatic isolation ended, US sanctions were lifted, the Caesar Act repealed, and President Al-Sharaa made a historic White House visit.
Egypt played a pivotal role in 2025 on the Palestinian issue, as an Arab summit in March adopted an Egyptian-Arab plan for Gaza’s future stressing reconstruction without displacement, while Cairo pursued stabilization and security efforts domestically.
Egypt hosted key events including the first official G20 meeting outside member states, expanded security coordination with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, as Standard and Poor’s upgraded its rating to B while Fitch affirmed the outlook.
Conversely, Ethiopia officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile, escalating tensions with Egypt, which filed a formal complaint with the UN Security Council.
Sudan endured escalating violence and a severe humanitarian crisis, as Arab efforts and the Quad Mechanism sought an immediate ceasefire, political settlement, and aid access to preserve unity after a war killing tens of thousands and displacing millions.
In Libya, Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh announced the death of the army chief of staff of the internationally recognized Government of National Unity in a plane crash while returning from Ankara, along with senior military officials.
Security rivalries, armed clashes, and political tensions persisted on the ground, alongside steps toward reviving the electoral process and demonstrating resilience in the energy sector.
Mid-year, Libya’s High Council of State withdrew legitimacy from Dbeibeh’s government amid rapid developments, including the resignation of five ministers, and elected Mohamed Takala as council president to resolve a legal dispute ongoing since August 2024.
Tunisia faced continued challenges with relative macroeconomic stability, cabinet reshuffles, and hosting important meetings, including Arab conferences on criminal investigation, counterterrorism, and document verification with Frontex and Interpol.
Regional tensions stemming from the Palestinian-Israeli conflict posed growing security challenges for Jordan in 2025, yet the Kingdom maintained internal stability while strengthening regional security and economic cooperation.
The Jordanian Air Force and air defenses intercepted missiles and drones, and the Kingdom enhanced its role in regional coordination, including a trilateral group (Syria-Jordan-US) to support Syria’s ceasefire efforts in Sweida.
Algeria strengthened its regional energy role, expanded Asian and African economic partnerships, managed tensions with countries including France and Mali, and signed agreements to accelerate the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline with Niger and Nigeria.
Morocco sustained development and economic momentum, expanded infrastructure investment, strengthened Arab and international security partnerships, and recorded sporting successes, as the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 recognizing autonomy for the Moroccan Sahara under sovereignty.
The year also saw exceptional Arab achievements, including Arab chemist Omar M. Yaghi winning the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and seven Arab national teams qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the largest Arab participation in a single tournament edition in history. (end)
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