At Cairo summit, Muslim leaders envision Syria free of ethnic tensions, and of Israel

At D-8 conference of Muslim nations, Iran’s Pezeshkian blames Israel for regional turmoil, PA’s Abbas demands Jerusalem be ‘held accountable and punished’ for actions across region

In this handout picture released by the Iranian presidential office, heads of state and delegates pose for a group picture during the D-8 summit in Cairo, on December 19, 2024. (IRANIAN PRESIDENCY / AFP)
In this handout picture released by the Iranian presidential office, heads of state and delegates pose for a group picture during the D-8 summit in Cairo, on December 19, 2024. (IRANIAN PRESIDENCY / AFP)

The leaders of Turkey and Iran called on Thursday for unity in Syria and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged that Israel be punished as the heads of eight Muslim-majority countries met in Cairo for the D-8 summit, following the ouster of Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad.

Turkey historically backed Assad’s opponents, while Iran supported his rule.

The gathering of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, also known as the Developing-8, was being held against a backdrop of regional turmoil including the conflict in Gaza, a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon and unrest in Syria.

In a speech at the summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for reconciliation in Syria and the restoration of the country’s “territorial integrity and unity.”

He also voiced hope for “the establishment of a Syria free of terrorism,” where “all religious sects and ethnic groups live side by side in peace.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also called for “the participation of all [Syrian] groups in the future government… as well as respect for different beliefs and religions.”

This handout photo made available by the Iranian presidential office shows Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) disembarking his aircraft upon arrival at Cairo International Airport on December 18, 2024 to attend the D-8 summit. (Iranian Presidency / AFP)

He added that “for more than 14 months, the Middle East region, in particular Gaza and southern Lebanon, and now… Syria, has been the target of massive attacks” by Israel.

“It is our religious, legal and human duty to prevent further harm” to those suffering in the conflict zones, he said.

Pezeshkian is the first Iranian president to visit Egypt since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2013.

Relations between Egypt and Iran have been strained for decades, but diplomatic contacts have intensified since Cairo became a mediator in the war in Gaza.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Egypt in October, while his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty traveled to Tehran in July to attend Pezeshkian’s inauguration.

PA President Abbas, speaking at a special session on Gaza and Lebanon, said the international community should adopt “a single standard of justice” and ensure Israel “is held accountable and punished for violations of international law” in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (left) meets with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo on December 19, 2024. (WAFA)

Abbas called for the adoption of a political plan he presented at a November summit in Riyadh, which includes a ceasefire, Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza and full UN membership for Palestine.

Iran’s president expressed support for any agreement backed by all Palestinian factions.

“The right to self-determination of the Palestinian people must be respected,” said Pezeshkian.

He called on the international community to pressure Israel to implement a ceasefire in Gaza, end attacks on Lebanon and Syria and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire deal last month which is slated to see the full withdrawal of Israel Defense Forces troops from Lebanon by the end of next month.

The Cairo summit also hosted a meeting between Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but split in a brutal 1971 war, with Bangladesh then drawing closer to Pakistan’s arch-rival India. Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus said he had “agreed to strengthen relations” with Pakistan, a move likely to further test his country’s frosty relations with India.

Established in 1997, the D-8 aims to foster cooperation among member states, spanning regions from Southeast Asia to Africa. The organization includes Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia as member states.

Most Popular
read more: