Cairo: Tunisia officially took over the Chairmanship of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Ministerial Level during the 166th Session held on September 7, 2026. Mr. Mohamed Ali Nafti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, presided over the proceedings and highlighted the national responsibility Tunisia bears in this role during a critical period for the Arab region.
According to African Press Organization, Minister Nafti addressed the key issues and challenges facing the Arab region, emphasizing Tunisia's commitment to enhancing Arab solidarity, bridging differences, and promoting joint Arab action. He underscored that regional security and stability hinge on the Palestinian people's ability to reclaim their legitimate rights, reaffirming Tunisia's support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The Minister condemned recent attacks on Syrian and Lebanese territories and expressed solidarity with their peoples. He reiterated Tunisia's support for a Libyan-Libyan solution to maintain Libya's territorial unity and voiced solidarity with Sudan and Yemen in their pursuit of unity and sovereignty. Nafti also expressed Tunisia's support for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, and Iraq in defending their sovereignty against external threats.
Nafti called for greater coordination among Arab States to tackle security challenges, urging the development of early-warning mechanisms to prevent and respond to crises. Additionally, he highlighted Tunisia's active participation in implementing Arab strategies in development, social, and economic fields, referencing Tunisia's hosting of the Arab High-Level Preparatory Meeting for the Second World Summit for Social Development and its role as Chair of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States since 2025.
Tunisia's recent accolades, such as the Arab Government Excellence Award in education and its leadership in the Arab Board of Health Specializations, were noted as part of its contributions to Arab cooperation. Nafti also celebrated Tunisia's designation as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2027, emphasizing its cultural heritage and tourism prospects.
In conclusion, Nafti reaffirmed Tunisia's commitment to collaborating with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and member states to enhance joint Arab action mechanisms to address regional challenges.
Arab delegations at the meeting expressed their appreciation for Tunisia's role and voiced confidence in its Chairmanship to foster dialogue, consultation, and unity among Arab nations. On the session's sidelines, Nafti engaged with Arab counterparts to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation mechanisms.