Paris grants diplomatic status to Arab League office
The French Parliament agreed on Tuesday to grant to the Arab League office in Paris the diplomatic status, in a move it described as "strong signal" to re-launch cooperation between Europe and the Arab states.
After the senate, the national assembly voted the law that authorizes the French government to endorse an agreement signed in November 1987 on the opening of an Arab League office in Paris.
Opened in 1974, the Arab League office in Paris did not enjoy a diplomatic status, and its activities were limited to information and documentation.
The diplomatic status gives to the office head and three of his assistants diplomatic privileges and immunity. The office assets and properties cannot be subjected to police search, seizure, confiscation nor expropriation, the confidentiality of correspondence is guaranteed, and it is exempted from taxes, except the VAT.
