Arab foreign ministers hold emergency meeting Wednesday
Regional, Politics, 8/21/2001

All Arab countries informed the Arab League of their approval to attend the emergency meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers in Cairo or Wednesday. During the meeting, Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat will present a report on the conditions in the occupied territories.

An informed source told Al Ahram that Arafat's report will deal with diplomatic efforts to issue a resolution by the Security Council to provide international protection for the Palestinians.

Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher is due to report on the outcome of the Egyptian delegation's visit to Washington.

Egyptian Chief Delegate to the Arab League Hany Riad said Monday that the meeting of the Arab foreign ministers comes at a crucial time when the Israeli-Arab conflict is very tense.

The recent Israeli measures and Sharon's policies made an Arab unified stance a necessity to stand up to these practices, he pointed out, noting that the Palestinian Intifada is facing many challenges.

"The Arab Foreign Ministers meeting will give a new impetus to the Palestinian Authority and Intifada in face of the Israeli arrogance," he added.

He further explained that the Arabs should pool efforts together to stand up to the Israeli measures atop of which comes seizing the Orient House.

During the meeting Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher will brief his Arab counterparts on the Egyptian stance towards all the recent developments in the Palestinian lands. " Egyptian policy will be part of an all out Arab policy in the coming phase," he added.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa hailed the role of Yemen in activating the joint Arab action and its stances in support of Arab issues.

At a press conference in Sanaa late Monday, Moussa voiced appreciation of Yemeni initiatives on activating the Arab League mechanisms and the activation of its role.

He called for a financial, political and moral support of the Palestinian resistance.

Moussa warned against a further deterioration of the situation in the region, especially in light of the continued Israeli practices.

The Arab League chief excluded possible cessation of violence in light of Israel's continued military escalation which is the essence of violence.

Israel has the power to attack and cordon off Palestinian towns and villages but the Palestinians and Arabs would never surrender, Moussa said. He warned against a possible "disaster" if the US remained biased to the Israelis.

Asked about the embargo on Iraq, Moussa said the pan-Arab organization's stance with regard to this issue is clear, namely calling for lifting the embargo and safeguarding security and sovereignty of Kuwait.

On the situation in the Sudan, Moussa asserted the Arab League's stance in support of any Arab initiative for national reconciliation in the Sudan.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh Monday discussed with Moussa the latest developments in the ME.

Moussa briefed Saleh on preparations for the emergency meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers and efforts to restructure the Arab League and activate joint Arab action.

President Saleh underlined the importance of putting into effect Arab summit resolutions to back the Palestinian cause and make collective Arab moves, especially with the European Union and the United States, to get Israel to end aggressions and send international forces to protect the Palestinians.

"Unifying the Arab stance is the only way to protect national security and guarantee Arab interests," Saleh said.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Baker Abdullah Al-Karbi met with Moussa and exchanged viewpoints on activating the role of the Arab League.

The two sides reviewed Arab efforts to back the Intifada and the ongoing military escalation by Israel against the Palestinians.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Alawi Al-Salami met Moussa who briefed him on plans to restructure the Arab League and other issues related to Yemen's financial contributions to the League's budget.

Previous Stories:
  Arab Labor Organization calls for drawing a future vision to social protection   (8/20/2001)
  An Israeli Arab language TV channel   (8/20/2001)
  Consultations by Arab foreign ministers   (8/20/2001)

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