By Yasmine Saleh and Sherine El Madany/Reuters
SHARM EL-SHEIKH: The Arab League chief warned the region’s leaders on Wednesday to heed economic and political problems that sparked Tunisia’s upheaval because Arab citizens’ anger had reached an unprecedented level.
Widespread public protests in Tunisia — prompted by high prices, a lack of jobs and political repression — toppled the country’s president of 23 years, Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali.
In impassioned remarks, Amr Moussa told an Arab economic summit in Egypt that “the Arab soul is broken by poverty, unemployment and general recession,” according to an AP report.
Arab populations across the Middle East and North Africa complain about the same issues that beset Tunisia and have been mesmerized by TV images of an autocrat being flung from office by street action — events not seen in the region for decades.
Wary of the unrest, Arab leaders are expected to commit to a proposed $2 billion program to boost faltering economies that have propelled crowds into the streets to protest high unemployment, rising prices and rampant corruption, AP reported.
The pledge was made in a document obtained by The Associated Press that is to be adopted by the economic summit. This is “a commitment to provide job opportunities for Arab young people in order to empower them to participate fully in their societies,” stated the document, labeled as the summit’s final statement.
“What is happening in Tunisia in terms of the revolution is not an issue far from the issues of this summit which is economic and social development,” Moussa said.
“The Arab citizen has entered a stage of anger that is unprecedented. I am certain that achieving full development that is tangible to the Arab citizens will relieve our societies of these challenges,” he said.
Arab officials have played down the prospects that events in Tunisia could spread. Egypt’s president did not directly mention Tunisia in his speech although he broadly called for economic development. Kuwait’s emir called for national unity in Tunisia.
Not an isolated case
Moussa, who has a habit of making blunt assertions in a region better known for discreet diplomacy, said shortly before the summit that Tunisia should not be seen as an isolated case and a lesson should be learned.
“It is on everyone’s mind that the Arab self is broken by poverty, unemployment and a general slide in indicators,” he said in Wednesday’s speech, referring to Tunisian events as an example of “big social shocks” facing many Arab societies.
“This is in addition to political problems that have not been resolved,” he said, adding that poor management of such issues was further complicating the situation.
Analysts say events in Tunisia have unsettled the world of entrenched Arab rulers and their image of governments with military backing that are immune to discontent.
They also say the Tunisian protests, which were not driven by Islamic slogans, throws into question the argument propounded by authoritarian Arab rulers that they are the bulwark against Islamist radicals sweeping to power.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak noted problems of rising prices, job creation and other economic issues in the region in his opening address, but made no direct reference to Tunisia. He largely blamed such problems on global issues.
“We are not isolated from the world with its problems, challenges and crises,” Mubarak, who has been in power for three decades, told leaders as he took the summit chair from Kuwait.
“Employment and creating employment opportunities will remain one of the most important challenges we face … We have priorities to achieve food security and combat climate change impacts,” Mubarak added.
He emphasized the need to involve the private sector in projects to connect the Arab world through electricity grids, communications and trade, AP reported.
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah called for national unity in Tunisia to overcome its problems, as well as listing economic problems across the region.
“We look forward to efforts towards solidarity in Tunisia to overcome this particular stage and achieve stability and security,” he said. –Additional reporting by Dina Zayed, Marwa Awad in Cairo and AP.
Egyptian riot policemen stop protesters from approaching the parliament building in downtown Cairo during a demonstration on January 19 by traders and businessmen calling for improved economic conditions and trade laws in the country. Arabic writing on placards reads: “No for economic suicide.” (AFP PHOTO/Mohammed Abed)
