One of the other criticisms made of the summit had to do with its length: it may well be considered the shortest summit ever. Some have estimated it lasted around three hours. Most of the Arab leaders who attended didn’t spend the night in Baghdad – they were there for a few hours, then flew back to their own countries. The Emir of Kuwait, whose visit was so celebrated by the Iraqis because he was the highest ranking representative from a Gulf country to attend, didn’t attend the summit’s concluding session.
Indeed for many outside observers, the summit was best seen as a kind of “meet and greet”, an introductory party where leaders of the old Arab world got to meet leaders of the new Arab world, post-Arab Spring.
And it is true that the impact of the Arab Spring could be felt at the summit. The Arab people seemed to be more present at this summit, even if it was metaphorically rather than literally. This is unusual in a region where rulers inherit their jobs and a tribal mentality prevails. Also, unlike at past summits, there was no exchange of accusations, overblown rhetoric or maddening statements such as those that former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, used to like to make.
The summit was not without its in-jokes either. Or rather, its ironies. As some wits were quick to note, two of the most important meetings were held in one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces – which also happens to be the palace where the Iraqi dictator had previously planned his invasion of neighbouring Kuwait: the invasion that would eventually isolate Iraq from its Arab neighbours and the world.
(Source: NIQASH)
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