D-8 leaders address Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria

The leaders of Turkey and Iran called for unity in Syria on Thursday, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged the international community to hold Israel accountable, as the heads of eight Muslim-majority countries gathered in Cairo for the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation Summit.

The meeting follows the recent ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and takes place amid ongoing regional challenges, including the conflict in Gaza, a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, and unrest in Syria.

In his address, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the importance of reconciliation in Syria and the restoration of its “territorial integrity and unity.” He expressed hope for a Syria free from terrorism, where “all religious sects and ethnic groups live side by side in peace.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed these sentiments, calling for inclusive governance in Syria that respects all beliefs and religions. He stressed the need for “the participation of all Syrian groups in the future government.”

Pezeshkian also criticized Israel, accusing it of conducting “massive attacks” on Gaza, southern Lebanon, and now Syria.

“It is our religious, legal, and human duty to prevent further harm to those suffering in these conflict zones,” he said.

Pezeshkian’s visit marked the first by an Iranian president to Egypt since 2013, signaling a thaw in historically strained relations. Diplomatic contacts between the two countries have intensified recently, with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visiting Egypt in October and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty traveling to Tehran in July for Pezeshkian’s inauguration.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for “a single standard of justice” to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.

Iran’s President Pezeshkian expressed support for any agreement backed by all Palestinian factions, emphasizing the importance of respecting Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

The summit also hosted a meeting between Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, signaling a potential thaw in relations between the two nations. Bangladesh and Pakistan, once united, split during the brutal 1971 war.

Yunus stated that he had “agreed to strengthen relations” with Pakistan, a move likely to strain Bangladesh’s already tense ties with India, Pakistan’s arch-rival.

The D-8, established in 1997, aims to foster economic and strategic cooperation among its members, which include Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The organization spans regions from Southeast Asia to Africa and focuses on development, trade, and diplomatic coordination.

This year’s summit, chaired by Egypt, focused on the theme “Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs” (small and medium enterprises), with numerous bilateral meetings and parallel sessions addressing pressing regional and international issues.