Page 5 - issue18

E L I T E 4

Libya is trapped in a proxy war. And engaging Qaddafi's

supporters can facilitate communication between Heftar and

Al-Wefaq Forces

Among the most prominent milestones in my diplomatic career is my,
• You once worked as an Arab League delegate in Iraq, how do
service at the Egyptian embassy in Morocco, then the embassy of
you assess the Iraqi situation today in light of the demonstrations
Yugoslavia, and the period of the embassy in Libya.
calling for the toppling of the sectarian quota system?

I remember that the experience of Iraq manifested to me the
• You have a long history in diplomatic work as an Assistant Minister
absurdity of the distinction between what is Shiite and what is
of Foreign Affairs for Arab affairs, how do you evaluate the current
Sunni. When I went as an envoy to the Arab League in Iraq, it was
Egyptian role in the Arab circle?
a sensitive period in the history of Iraq between 2008-2009, I met
Unfortunately, the Egyptian role is declining, not for reasons related to
different people from different sects, they were the smartest people
the Egyptian regime, but because of the Egyptian culture. Egyptians
I have met. I cherish a personal friendship with the president of
have enormous challenges that make them self-sufficient, which does
The Islamic Supreme Council Sheikh Ammar al-Hakim who gave
not prepare Egypt to take over the roles it used to have before, such as
me a shield. I did not find a difference between the one who is
the developmental role, the educational role, and the role of political
Shiite and the one who is Sunni.
enlightenment.
Therefore, I am not a supporter of attacking Hezbollah, I have
We also have many problems that I mentioned in many of my articles
always been a supporter of Hezbollah, and its militant roles against
and studies that have been published, such as the tendency towards
Israel to this day. There is no doubt in that and we should
unilateral thinking based on the idea of “either/ or,” not on
appreciate them, but we can blame them that they do not heed the
reconciliation of opposites. Furthermore, we do not have the correct
Arab call as much as they do towards the Shiite rhetoric.
political action methodology on many issues including foreign policy .

• But some believe that Hezbollah is an arm of the Islamic
For example, our foreign policy in the Arab region is not based on the
Republic of Iran, what do you think of this and your opinion on the
principle of sharing roles with others, for example, Egypt has
Iranian expansion in the region?
excessively nominated Egyptians for leadership positions in the Arab
The Iranian Islamic Revolution imposed itself on the surrounding
organization. The matter is not limited to positions only, but the
affairs, wanting to export the revolution. This is a mistake for the
principle of sharing roles should include certain tasks for states, such
Islamic thinkers, as they see that revolutions can be artificially and
as some of The Gulf countries that should have the task of dialogue
intentionally achieved. It was possible for Iran to be a role model
with Iran, or countries of North Africa that should have the task of
in the Islamic world, but they provided a tool of their
communicating with France and Europe, to benefit more from the
condemnation of the idea of exporting the revolution.
comparative advantages of each country regarding a specific file.
This does not prevent me from asking the Arab league to create a
• Do you think, Your Excellency, that the balance of trust between
permanent channel for communication with Iran, through some
Arab countries currently allows them to accomplish this cooperation?
countries in the context of sharing roles, in order to reduce Arab-
The true inter-Arab relations are bad and do not qualify for this kind of
Iranian hostilities. I recommend the same thing in light of the
cooperation. For example, Gulf countries are troubled by the Sultanate
relationship with Turkey, we have achieved dialogue with Israel,
of Oman because it has an independent vision in managing its foreign
why not with the rest of the regional neighborhood?
relations with Iran, but we must start even with a few small steps.
issue 18, April 2020 #Stay_at_home