Intense discussion for an urgent Arab summit
Regional, Politics, 7/26/2005

The secretary general of the Arab league Amr Moussa said on Monday that he is making "relentless" efforts to convene an urgent Arab summit in Egypt in order to discuss conditions in the region in the light of Israel's decision to withdraw from Gaza.

He also rejected the convening of a conference between Israel and the Arab states after the implementation of the separation plan, considering that this matter will be seen as "a reward" for Israel.

Replying to a question on the chance to convene an emergency Arab summit, Moussa told al-Arabia satellite TV "there are relentless efforts to convene an urgent summit hosted by Egypt." He added "Now contacts are underway. I will return back quickly to Cairo after two days after I finish my obligations here ( in the USA) in order to prepare for this summit which will be held within days, one or two weeks."

Moussa ruled out the convening of an Arab- Israeli meeting following the withdrawal from Gaza. He said "as an Arab citizen and official, I do not understand the convening of a summit meeting or any conference between Israel and the Arab states immediately following the withdrawal form Gaza, as if the withdrawal from Gaza is the big objective, and (for this), then Israel will be rewarded for it."

He noted the Arab side will be irresponsible to attend such a meeting before there are clear conditions and clear points on the need to halt the settlements, otherwise, "the matter will be ridiculous as the leaders are attending a peace conference and the building of Israeli settlements is taking place the moment when the Arabs are sitting with the Israelis."

On the other hand, the chairman of Moussa's office Hesham Youssef said that the AL secretariat and other Arab states are trying to arrange for convening an urgent Arab summit. He added "the matter requires more discussions. We are talking about a date within one or two weeks." He added "the agenda will include the situation in the region in general with concentration on the Arab- Israeli conflict and the conditions in Iraq."


Youssef explained that Algeria,, which assumes the presidency of the AL meetings following the ordinary summit which was held in Algeria in March this year, is playing a great role in such preparations. Moussa, however, had visited during the few past weeks each of Syria, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Sudan and Libya. During the recent African summit in Libya, Moussa met with several Arab leaders.

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