The season of “self-flagellation” and of crying over spilled Arab milk has ended, and the leaders and heads of Arab delegations participating in the Summit hosted by the Libyan city of Sirt have returned to their countries. The Arab media and press nearly started looking for another issue to preoccupy itself, or preoccupy people, with, after having done their job in terms of ridiculing the Summit and its decisions and of joking about some of the stances that were taken, in parallel with formulating expressions of sorrow and sadness over Arab solidarity that has been lost, the Arab stance that has collapsed, Arab issues that the Arabs are no longer able to resolve, and the disagreements over some points which have been postponed to an emergency summit that would be held before the end of this year to discuss them, in addition of course to a few sharp expressions against such or such leader or against such or such country. Yet the question continues to revolve in people's minds: how was the Summit held and how did it end without Libyan leader Muammar Al-Gaddafi bringing about a surprise which would attract lights and projectors and upon which cameras would be focused? Those among politicians and journalists who follow the developments of Arab Summits have grown accustomed to the temperament of the “Brother Colonel” and have come to always expect his surprises, which come during the season of every Arab Summit. On the other hand, some Arab politicians make no secret of their fears from one of those surprises striking a “blow” at the Summit, angering a country or driving a leader to withdraw. Moreover, the place where the “Brother Colonel” would reside during the Summit would usually be crowded with dozens of journalists, cameramen and photographers eager for substance to heat up their newspapers, newscasts and programs. And the truth is that the man has never let them down and has given them what they wish for at every Summit, just as he has always made sure to diversify “for the sake of change” and to never repeat what he says or does. Indeed, the events of previous summits speak for themselves and are unforgettable. Why then was he so quiet at the Sirt Summit? And how come he seemed satisfied and not angry, as had been the case at every previous Summit? The “Brother Colonel” has made us accustomed to his giving a speech at the public opening session, as he always insists on this and refuses to speak at closed sessions, in which he has often elaborated on, added to, returned to, explained and expounded his views, opinions and theories, which would always cause the opening session to be prolonged and would affect the “precious time” of leaders. In Sirt the “Brother Colonel” only spoke for a few minutes at the beginning of the opening session, despite presiding over the Summit and being the head of state of the country in which it was held. Was he busy with other matters? Or was he making sure not to anger any of those attending? The Brother Colonel did not seem preoccupied with the preparations or the logistics, as the arrangements for the stay of official delegations were at their best. As for journalists and reporters, they relied only on divine providence, some of them staying on ships, others in apartments, and a number of them failing to even reach Sirt, covering the Summit from Tripoli and not feeling as if they had missed anything. Moreover, matters of protocol also went on without hindrances. On the other hand, if the President of the Summit knew that his words at previous summits had angered his “brothers” and preferred this time not to anger any of them, then why did he use to anger them to begin with at the summits that were held in other capitals or cities? On the whole, the “Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution” – which is the title by which he prefers to be referred to, in addition to: King of Kings of Africa and Longest-Serving Arab Leader – will continue to preside over the Arab Summit for a whole year, and he will preside over two summits to which his “brothers” among Arab leader will participate, the first being the Arab-African Summit which will also be hosted by Sirt next September, and the other an exceptional Arab Summit which was agreed to be held in order to resolve the issues of the “Regional Forum” and the restructuring of the Arab League, after Arab leaders preferred to defer the two issues to an exceptional summit. And if this summit is not held on the sidelines of the Arab-African Summit, then it will most likely be held in Egypt, being the country that is home to Arab League headquarters. Then the Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution will preside over the Summit without restrictions regarding the embarrassment he might incur from criticizing other leaders or the policies of Arab countries. Then the Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution will most certainly return to his old habits, journalists and reporters will find what they had missed in Sirt, and the Arab Summit will regain …its surprises.
