CAIRO, 15 Sept. - (ANA) - An Egyptian proposal to set up a NATO-style force in the Middle East is gathering pace following Israel's strike on Qatar, with discussions set to occur on the sidelines of the two-day Arab-Islamic summit in Doha.

 

The proposal, first agreed upon in principle in 2015 in the context of Yemen's civil war and the Houthis' seizure of Sanaa, is once again being pushed by Egypt, according to several outlets.

 

According to The National, Egypt's proposal would see a revolving command among the 22 members of the Arab League, all of whom would contribute to the joint force, while a civilian would serve as secretary-general. Egypt's proposal would see its military hold the first term.

 

Like NATO, the proposal is of a combined armed force including Land, Air, Naval and commando units, while training, logistics and military systems would be integrated.

 

Additionally, the use of the force would require a request by a participant nation, consultations from member countries, and the approval of the military leadership.

 

The National also reported that Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had been speaking to several of his counterparts in the region about the proposal, and that it was likely to be discussed on the sidelines of the Arabi-Islamic summit in Doha.

 

A source was quoted as saying that the force would "deal with security threats and terrorism or anyone who poses a threat to the Arab world's safety and stability."

 

Likewise, Lebanese outlet Al Akhbar reported that Egypt's proposal would see it contribute 20,000 personnel to the force, while Saudi Arabia would be expected to be the second largest contributor.

 

The region has witnessed military cooperation within the region before, including in several wars against Israel, as well as during the first Gulf War.

 

The region also had a UK-led NATO-like alliance called the Central Treaty Organisation, also known as the Baghdad Pact, which existed between 1955 and 1979

 

The discussions of a joint-Arab force come following Israel's strike on Qatar's capital Doha, which sparked fierce condemnation from much of the Arab world, including the UAE, one of the only countries in the region with diplomatic relations with Israel.

 

The Doha summit is expected to offer a sharp condemnation against Israel, including a rejection of Israeli arrogance, according to a spokesperson of the Secretary General of the Arab League, who spoke to the Qatar News Agency.

 

At least 50 ministers are set to discuss the draft statement of the summit, which will then be approved on Monday.

 

Qatar is the latest country in the Middle East to be struck by Israel in 2025, alongside the occupied Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and a suspected attack in Tunisia.

 

The tension comes amid Israel's war on Gaza, which has been ongoing for close to two years, and has seen a deterioration of relations between Israel and Egypt over the potential forced displacement of millions of Palestinians into Egypt, something Egypt has vowed to block. _(ANA) -

 

 

AB/ANA/15 September 2025 - - -