G8 commits $20 billion to Arab countries
The Group of Eight (G8) countries will pledge $20 billion in aid to post-autocratic Arab countries that have toppled heads of state and moved towards democracy, according to European officials, Al Jazeera reported.
The so-called "Arab Spring" has been a major talking point at this week's G8 summit in France, which brings together the leaders from the US, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia.
A draft version of the summit statement read: "We, members of the G8, strongly support the aspirations of the Arab Spring as well as those of the Iranian people."
"Multilateral development banks could provide over $20 billion, including 3.5 billion euros from the European Investment Bank, for Egypt and Tunisia for 2011-2013, in support of suitable reform efforts."
The document also stated G8 countries' readiness "to mobilise substantial bilateral support to scale-up this effort. We welcome support from other bilateral partners, including from the region."
While the $20 billion would add a strong boost to the countries' economies, Al Jazeera's Jackie Rowland pointed out that the G8 had failed in the past to fulfill aid commitments.
She said that by the end of the conference, leaders were expected to publicly admit that neglect.
"We're expecting them to admit that there's been a shortfall in the aid that was promised... and the aid that was actually delivered," our correspondent said.
US president Barack Obama, speaking at a joint press conference with French president Nicolas Sarkozy, described the economic commitment as a partner to political change. He said, "democratic transition... [must be] accompanied by economic growth."
But G8 support is not limited to economic aid. According to the statement, the powerful group is also discussing other intervention tactics for multiple "Arab Spring" countries.
Among its statements are a commitment to tell Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi that he has lost all legitimacy and must step down, condemnation of "the use of violence in response to peaceful protest throughout Yemen", and that the GB would "consider action in the United Nations Security Council" if Syria does not stop using force against protesters.
The statement adds, "We call on the Syrian leadership to immediately stop using force and intimidation against the Syrian people and to respond to their legitimate demands for freedom of expression and universal rights and aspirations. We also call for the release of all political prisoners in Syria.
At the Friday press conference, Obama committed the group to aiding in the ousting of Libya's Gaddafi.
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