Arab League appeals to Arab countries to pay money owed for budget

A report issued by the office of the secretary general of the Arab League stated that letters were sent to all the Arab countries regarding payment of their arrears to the Arab League. The report also said that the rate of payment by Arab countries into the current budget is currently 54% ($27.737 million).

It also said that while some countries paid their arrears in the first quarter of this year, the secretary general hoped that all the other countries would do the same in order to support the general secretariat of the Arab League.

The report will be discussed by the Arab foreign ministers on September 20. The financial situation of the Arab League is expected to remain difficult unless the Arab countries pay their arrears, which represent a heavy burden on the Arab League. The total arrears till December 31 reached $88.342 million.

The report showed that the Arab League's budget has remained the same for seven years at about $27 million. About 27% of the budget is not paid each year which has resulted in the inability of the Arab League to pay the salaries of its staff. The difficult financial situation of the Arab League cannot be ignored anymore, the report mentioned.