Algerian authorities are reportedly pressuring Tunisia to invite Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to the Arab League summit to convene in the North African country early next year. The Algerian Ambassador to Tunisia Abdelkader Hajjar may exert pressure on Tunisia to invite the Syrian president to the Arab summit, The Middle East Monitor (MEMO) online portal reported. Syria was suspended by the 22-member Arab League in 2011 in a vote supported by 18 countries and opposed by Syria; Lebanon and Yemen. Since Syria was expelled from the Arab League, there have been some countries calling for its return, such as Algeria, Iraq and Lebanon. The Arab League has repeatedly stated that Al Assad was using overwhelming military force against his people and failing to negotiate with the opposition.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 24, 2018 13:07 UTC