Bin Ali is committed to reforms; al-Faisal stressed the inevitability of convening the summit
Tunisia-Regional, Politics, 4/3/2004

Vagueness remained overwhelming the atmospheres relating to convening the Arab summit, its place and time, yesterday despite the atmospheres of optimism which coupled the meeting between the Tunisian President Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali and the Secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa.

Though, most predictions say that the Arab leaders will meet in Egypt and in particular at the headquarters of the Arab league as being the only place which Tunisia will accept to preside over the summit, however, bringing back this summit is not ruled out with the renewed commitment of the Tunisian government to its right to preside over the summit and to host it.

But it seems that this case will not be settled before the return back of the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the Jordanian king Abdullah from Washington in the mid of this month. Two visits which coincide almost with a visit to be held by the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to Washington.

The spokesman for the Tunisian Presidency who attended the meeting between the Tunisian President and Moussa, repeated his country's unwavering position towards convening the summit, and its content which should be agreed upon in order to ensure its success in light of developments in the region. He added that Tunisia in its capacity as the President for this summit and its official hostess keeps its right to convene the summit on its own lands and declares its determination to continue consultations until an agreement is made over the debated issues and in particular defining a new date for the summit. He added that the meeting between Moussa and Ben Ali was an occasion for Ben Ali to highlight "Tunisia's continued care to stress Tunisia's deep Arab affiliation and its position in support of the nation's causes." The Tunisian minister of the interior, on the other hand stressed that Tunisia has the priority to convene the Summit, noting that the " most important now " is to maintain understanding over what will be discussed.

However, Moussa said at Carthage International airport where he was welcomed by the Tunisia foreign minister al-Habib Bin Yahya that the summit "God-willing will be held." He then described the meeting with Bin Ali as "very important" and said that the talks dealt with the Arab summit and the common Arab action.

Moussa, however, is scheduled to arrive in Morocco tomorrow in a two day visit during which he will move to Algeria on April 6th.

In conclusion of his visit to Vienna yesterday, with the Saudi crown prince Abdullah, the Saudi foreign minister Saudi al-Faisal said that a new Arab summit is under preparation to be held by the beginning of this month. He explained "the summit will be undoubtedly be held because there is a consensus.. there is a decision to convene the summit by the beginning of this month."

Previous Stories:
  Moussa to leave for Tunis on Friday   (3/31/2004)
  Bin Yahya might resign   (3/29/2004)
  Bin Yahya: Tunis is ready to hoist the Arab summit   (3/16/2004)
  Saudi - Tunisian economic cooperation   (5/7/2003)
  Al-Faisal, Bin Yahya discuss bilateral relations   (10/21/2002)

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