Moussa leads Egyptian delegation to Arab foreign ministers' meeting
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa will leave for Jordan leading Egypt's delegation to preparatory meetings of the Arab foreign ministers, due to start on March 24.
"The Arab foreign ministers will hold two-day meetings on agenda, draft resolutions and final communiqué of the coming Arab summit to be forwarded to Arab leaders in their summit, slated for March 27-28," said a diplomatic source on Friday.
The coming summit will be the first Arab one to be held annually on regular basis.
Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Esmat Abdel-Maguid said the regular convocation of the Arab summit is considered a major progress in the history of the joint Arab action.
In statements to the Egyptian television, the AL chief expressed belief that the annual Arab meetings will continue due to the Arab leaders' interest in holding such meetings.
He highlighted the importance of meetings held during the past months at the highest levels, adding that meetings of the Arab follow-up committee were useful in supporting the Palestinian people.
He denied that there was international pressure to undermine the delivery of funds to Palestinians, pointing out that the delay was attributed to measures taken by banks. He added that there is coordination with Palestinian officials in this respect.
The issue of renewing the Arab boycott of Israel is an item on the agenda of the Arab summit, said Abdul-Meguid.The coming Arab summit will also discuss a number of important issues including situation between Iraq and Kuwait, added Abdul Meguid.
He said that Arabs are committed to peace as strategic option, emanating from the conviction that they want just and a comprehensive peace. The Arab League chief said Arabs' interest in peace doesn't mean that they are weak, pointing out that Israelis fled Lebanon after 20 years of occupation as a result of the fierce attacks on the Israeli troops by the Lebanese resistance.
Abdul-Meguid called on the United States and the European Union (KU) to adopt clear and frank stances towards peace process to get Israel stop its practices against the Palestinian people.
He said that he received a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and discussed with its members conditions in the occupied territories, ICRC role and providing international protection for Palestinians within the framework of Geneva, the fourth convention in 1949.
The Arab League Chief added that Arabs will resort to all international and legal means to protect peace and their rights.
He wished Foreign Minister Amr Moussa success in his new post as Al Secretary-General, pointing out that choosing Moussa for the post is important due to his long experience in diplomacy.
