The Arab League 'supports the Kuwaiti initiative,' is 'ready to supervise the legislative elections'

BEIRUT — The deputy secretary-general of the Arab League, Houssam Zaki, said Sunday that the pan-Arab organization “supports the Kuwaiti initiative” to resolve the diplomatic crisis between Beirut and the Gulf countries, and assured that it was "ready to supervise the Lebanese legislative elections” scheduled for May 15.

Here’s what we know:

    • “The Arab League supports the Kuwaiti initiative to resolve the crisis between Lebanon and the Gulf countries,” Zaki told the Egyptian MENA news outlet in Lebanon. “The league understands the starting points of the Kuwaiti initiative, and has entered into contact with the Kuwaiti and Lebanese sides in order to overcome the disagreement and push the Arab ranks to support Lebanon, which still constitutes an essential component in the joint Arab working system,” he stressed.

    • On Saturday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati had received Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmad Aboul Gheit who arrived the day before at the head of a delegation of the organization to participate in a ceremony to reward the best doctoral thesis in law in the Arab world. He said he defended "a policy of distancing himself from any disagreement between Arab countries," while these countries accuse Beirut of being under the thumb of Hezbollah, an ally of Iran.

    • An Arab roadmap, transmitted to Beirut by Kuwait last January, and containing 12 points, including on Hezbollah’s weapons, has still not helped to overcome this crisis. This roadmap included several general requests from the international community, such as the organization of legislative elections and the launch of reforms, as well as a call for compliance with UN Resolution 1559. At the end of January, Kuwait announced that Lebanon's response to the proposals was “under consideration” and that decisions would be taken on the follow-up to the initiative. But no feedback has yet been received.

    • In terms of parliamentary elections, set for May 15, the league’s No. 2 said that the body “is ready to participate by sending supervisors,” noting that it can offer a “trained and experienced team.” He also assured “the continued support of the Arab League to Lebanon in the steps it is taking for the stability and interest of the Lebanese.”

    • The elections are perceived by many Lebanese as an opportunity to change the ruling political class, accused by a large segment of the population of corruption and incompetence.