The Prime Minister of the Assad regime, Hussein Arnous, arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday to participate in the World Climate Action Summit. Arnous and his accompanying delegation were received at Dubai Airport by the political advisor to the President of the UAE, Anwar Gargash, the head of the Syrian diplomatic mission in the Emirates, and the Consul General in Dubai.
According to the regime outlet, Al-Watan newspaper, it was decided that the Assad regime’s Prime Minister, Hussein Arnous, would head the Syrian delegation participating in the COP28 climate summit, in place of Assad. It is believed this is due to the recent arrest warrant placed on Assad following charges by France alleging his involvement with chemical attacks on Syrian civilians.
In the lead-up to COP28, the American Coalition for Syria (ACS) appealed to the French authorities to arrest the head of the Syrian regime, Assad, if he attends the UN climate summit in the UAE. The ACS issued a statement calling on France to submit an official request to arrest Assad during his participation in the COP28 summit scheduled to be held in the UAE.
As the COP28 summit unfolds, the absence of Assad serves as a stark reminder of the intricate web of geopolitical dynamics, legal implications, and moral imperatives that shape international events. It also highlights the need for meaningful dialogue and concerted action to address not only environmental challenges but also the broader issues of justice, accountability, and human rights.
