Arab League official backs federal system in Syria

Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed his support for a federal system in Syria in order to resolve the conflict.

The federal system preferred by Aboul Gheit “is the most appropriate solution” he said “and the alternative is destruction and the emergence of mini-states”.

Aboul Gheit pointed to successful federal states in the Middle East such as the UAE and others around the world including the US, Canada, Germany and Malaysia, which he believes could serve as suitable political models for the Arab republic.

During his interview with Al-Hayat newspaper, the Egyptian diplomat who was speaking for the first time at the UN General Assembly since being named secretary-general also spoke about the Arab League’s lack of power to enforce a resolution. “The Arab League does not have any power to impose solutions in the Syrian crises,” he said adding also that the Syrian opposition does not have open channels of communication with the Arab League.

Aboul Gheit went on to stress the need for Bashar Al-Assad to step down if the federal model is to succeed. Al-Assad would be assured that he will not be prosecuted at the International Criminal Court when he relinquishes power, the official said, calling for mutual understanding in order to preserve the Syrian state.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov have previously suggested the implementation of a federal system to stop the ongoing violence in Syria and ensure the country’s unity.