BICOM

A Syrian opposition representative took the Syrian chair for the first time at an Arab League summit in Qatar on Tuesday, following the suspension of Syria from the group. The seat was taken by Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, the head of the Syrian National Coalition. This is despite the fact that al-Khatib announced his intention to resign a few days ago, accusing the international community of failing to help the Syrian people defend themselves, and external forces of attempting to control the opposition. Al-Khatib is believed to be concerned at the extent of influence of Islamists and countries including Qatar within the opposition. The announcement may also have been prompted by the selection by the Syrian National Council of US-based Islamist Ghassan Hitto as Prime Minister. Al-Khatib called for NATO to send Patriot missiles to help protect opposition-held areas in Syria.

Meanwhile the same Arab League summit approved a Qatari proposal to set up a $1 billion investment fund for Arab East Jerusalem. The money is intended to, “finance projects and programs that would maintain the Arab and Islamic character of the city and reinforce the steadfastness of its people,” according to a draft resolution. Qatar itself pledged $250 million to the fund. Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the proposal, telling the summit that Israel is attempting to “Judaise East Jerusalem.” An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor criticised the comments, saying, “Objecting to ‘Judaisation of Jerusalem,’ so to speak, is absurd and is equitable to an objection to the Catholic nature of the Vatican or the Islamisation of Mecca.” It is unclear how the money will be raised or spent. Many Arab pledges to support the Palestinian Authority remain unfulfilled, contributing to the severe economic difficulties facing the PA.