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A league of their own: High points from the Arab Summit at the lowest place on earth

Published March 30th, 2017 - 04:30 GMT

Yesterday, Ministers and Heads of States from 22 countries in the Arab world gathered in Jordan to discuss some of the most complex issues affecting stability and security in the region. Tensions were clearly running high and pressures mounted as we witnessed leaders stumbling over stairs, falling asleep or not turning up at all! From Arab Spring to Arab Siesta, here are some of the most unwittingly comic moments straight out of the Arab League’s 2017 Summit.

 
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Abu Mazen shows us his game face any time someone started talking about Palestine - or maybe just a bit of indigestion?

Abu Mazen shows us his game face any time someone started talking about Palestine - or maybe just a bit of indigestion?

Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir might be wanted by the ICC for war crimes, but he doesn’t seem to be too worried about a potential arrest- he looks bored enough to fall asleep here!

Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir might be wanted by the ICC for war crimes, but he doesn’t seem to be too worried about a potential arrest- he looks bored enough to fall asleep here!

With a personal invite from Jordan’s King no less, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI was a no-show. According to Al Ghad news, the Moroccan monarch was not convinced that there was any point in attending, but promised 'to sleep on it'. The Moroccan track record for attendance over the years has been sketchy. Perhaps he forgot to set his alarm?

With a personal invite from Jordan’s King no less, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI was a no-show. According to Al Ghad news, the Moroccan monarch was not convinced that there was any point in attending, but promised 'to sleep on it'. The Moroccan track record for attendance over the years has been sketchy. Perhaps he forgot to set his alarm?

Syria has been noticeably absent from Arab League summits since 2011, but an empty chair was still reserved for embattled President Bashar al-Assad. Like an awkward family dinner, hoping that an errant cousin will decide to stop misbehaving and come home.

Syria has been noticeably absent from Arab League summits since 2011, but an empty chair was still reserved for embattled President Bashar al-Assad. Like an awkward family dinner, hoping that an errant cousin will decide to stop misbehaving and come home.

The Lebanese might always complain about Jordan being boring, but Michel Aoun was literally falling for Jordan! The 84 year-old new President was helped back to his feet by security after missing a step and going down hard - oops.

The Lebanese might always complain about Jordan being boring, but Michel Aoun was literally falling for Jordan! The 84 year-old new President was helped back to his feet by security after missing a step and going down hard - oops.

The Arab Summit was a snooze-fest all around, really - we’re betting that a post-mansaf food coma is to blame here.

The Arab Summit was a snooze-fest all around, really - we’re betting that a post-mansaf food coma is to blame here.

Sulky storm-out or bathroom break? Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt was captured leaving the session while Qatar’s Prince Tamim El-Thani was presenting. Coincidence? We think not. It’s no secret that there’s no love lost between Cairo and Doha, with relations marred by accusations of Qatari support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

Sulky storm-out or bathroom break? Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt was captured leaving the session while Qatar’s Prince Tamim El-Thani was presenting. Coincidence? We think not. It’s no secret that there’s no love lost between Cairo and Doha, with relations marred by accusations of Qatari support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

Diplomacy might not have been the first thing on the mind of this delegate seated next to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi - but he was definitely digging for something!

Diplomacy might not have been the first thing on the mind of this delegate seated next to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi - but he was definitely digging for something!

Abu Mazen shows us his game face any time someone started talking about Palestine - or maybe just a bit of indigestion?
Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir might be wanted by the ICC for war crimes, but he doesn’t seem to be too worried about a potential arrest- he looks bored enough to fall asleep here!
With a personal invite from Jordan’s King no less, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI was a no-show. According to Al Ghad news, the Moroccan monarch was not convinced that there was any point in attending, but promised 'to sleep on it'. The Moroccan track record for attendance over the years has been sketchy. Perhaps he forgot to set his alarm?
Syria has been noticeably absent from Arab League summits since 2011, but an empty chair was still reserved for embattled President Bashar al-Assad. Like an awkward family dinner, hoping that an errant cousin will decide to stop misbehaving and come home.
The Lebanese might always complain about Jordan being boring, but Michel Aoun was literally falling for Jordan! The 84 year-old new President was helped back to his feet by security after missing a step and going down hard - oops.
The Arab Summit was a snooze-fest all around, really - we’re betting that a post-mansaf food coma is to blame here.
Sulky storm-out or bathroom break? Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt was captured leaving the session while Qatar’s Prince Tamim El-Thani was presenting. Coincidence? We think not. It’s no secret that there’s no love lost between Cairo and Doha, with relations marred by accusations of Qatari support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Diplomacy might not have been the first thing on the mind of this delegate seated next to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi - but he was definitely digging for something!
Abu Mazen shows us his game face any time someone started talking about Palestine - or maybe just a bit of indigestion?
Abu Mazen shows us his game face any time someone started talking about Palestine - or maybe just a bit of indigestion?
Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir might be wanted by the ICC for war crimes, but he doesn’t seem to be too worried about a potential arrest- he looks bored enough to fall asleep here!
Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir might be wanted by the ICC for war crimes, but he doesn’t seem to be too worried about a potential arrest- he looks bored enough to fall asleep here!
With a personal invite from Jordan’s King no less, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI was a no-show. According to Al Ghad news, the Moroccan monarch was not convinced that there was any point in attending, but promised 'to sleep on it'. The Moroccan track record for attendance over the years has been sketchy. Perhaps he forgot to set his alarm?
With a personal invite from Jordan’s King no less, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI was a no-show. According to Al Ghad news, the Moroccan monarch was not convinced that there was any point in attending, but promised 'to sleep on it'. The Moroccan track record for attendance over the years has been sketchy. Perhaps he forgot to set his alarm?
Syria has been noticeably absent from Arab League summits since 2011, but an empty chair was still reserved for embattled President Bashar al-Assad. Like an awkward family dinner, hoping that an errant cousin will decide to stop misbehaving and come home.
Syria has been noticeably absent from Arab League summits since 2011, but an empty chair was still reserved for embattled President Bashar al-Assad. Like an awkward family dinner, hoping that an errant cousin will decide to stop misbehaving and come home.
The Lebanese might always complain about Jordan being boring, but Michel Aoun was literally falling for Jordan! The 84 year-old new President was helped back to his feet by security after missing a step and going down hard - oops.
The Lebanese might always complain about Jordan being boring, but Michel Aoun was literally falling for Jordan! The 84 year-old new President was helped back to his feet by security after missing a step and going down hard - oops.
The Arab Summit was a snooze-fest all around, really - we’re betting that a post-mansaf food coma is to blame here.
The Arab Summit was a snooze-fest all around, really - we’re betting that a post-mansaf food coma is to blame here.
Sulky storm-out or bathroom break? Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt was captured leaving the session while Qatar’s Prince Tamim El-Thani was presenting. Coincidence? We think not. It’s no secret that there’s no love lost between Cairo and Doha, with relations marred by accusations of Qatari support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Sulky storm-out or bathroom break? Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt was captured leaving the session while Qatar’s Prince Tamim El-Thani was presenting. Coincidence? We think not. It’s no secret that there’s no love lost between Cairo and Doha, with relations marred by accusations of Qatari support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Diplomacy might not have been the first thing on the mind of this delegate seated next to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi - but he was definitely digging for something!
Diplomacy might not have been the first thing on the mind of this delegate seated next to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi - but he was definitely digging for something!

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