Mubarak, Abdullah discuss Arab summit, Palestinian Issue, Iraq

Egypt's President Mubarak yesterday paid a flight visit to Jordan for talks with King Abdullah the second.

Egyptian- Jordanian summit dealt with ways of making the forthcoming Arab summit a success, the sanctions on Iraq, issues to be tackled by the Arab summit in Amman, the results of the latest tour by Secretary of State Colin Powell to the region, accession to power in Israel by Prime Minister elect Ariel Sharon and the critical position of the peace process.

Upon President Mubarak arrival at Amman airport, King Abdullah escorted him to Raghdan Palace where they held a tete-tete session. Then the two leaders were joined by the members of the two delegations on a luncheon banquet hosted by the Jordanian monarch in honour of President Mubarak.

The two leaders stressed the need for halting Israeli acts of violence against Palestinians, and lifting siege on the Palestinian people.

A statement issued by the Jordanian royal office said the peace process should be resumed from the point at which it has stopped adding gains achieved during the past years should be built on.

The statement noted that the Palestinian cause is given top priority by the Arab nation adding the deteriorating situation threatens the peace process and shakes security and stability in the region. Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said the lack of desire on the part of Israel for reaching peace is a bad omen to the future of the peace process.

He said there is thinking of partial lifting of sanctions against Iraq adding many countries have started to call for putting an end to the tragic situation in Iraq which causes much suffering for the Iraqi people. Moussa said Iraq's participation in the forthcoming Arab summit is must.