Arab leaders condemn US Golan decision at summit

AFP  |  Tunis 

Arab leaders slammed the US decision to recognise the as Israeli territory at a summit in on Sunday, but struggled for further unity as Qatar's left the meeting early.

A separate statement dedicated solely to the issue called Washington's move "invalid and illegitimate".

"It is true that is the strongest military force in the world, but its decision is absolutely worthless," League told a closing conference.

signed a proclamation Monday in which the recognised Israel's annexation of the strategic plateau that it seized in 1967 and annexed in 1981.

Israel's move has not been recognised internationally, and three resolutions have called for it to withdraw from the territory.

Trump's shift on Golan had already drawn a string of angry reactions from Arab capitals, despite proving problematic for key regional US allies such as

The decision has also drawn criticism from other members and been rejected by the

The united front shown at the summit on the issue failed to mask other deep divisions inside the Arab League, as it struggles with major such as a diplomatic crisis in the Gulf and conflicts in and

In an apparent sign of the tensions, Qatar's Sheikh quit the gathering "after attending the opening ceremony", the Gulf state's agency reported, without giving any further details.

A Tunisian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Qatari leader had walked out during the speech of League Aboul Gheit, and "has left Tunisia".

is at the centre of a bitter Gulf standoff since June 2017, when along with the United Arab Emirates, and severed ties with

The Saudi-led bloc accuses of supporting extremist groups and being too close to Iran, charges denies.

The meeting in had brought together Saudi and the for a rare encounter.

But an appeal by Tunisian for the region to "overcome its differences" appeared to have little impact as the Qatari ruler left prematurely.

In his opening speech Aboul Gheit had blasted and for their "interference" in Arab countries, insisting that and had worsened regional crises.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Mon, April 01 2019. 02:10 IST