Arab FMs consultative meeting saw no differences

The Arab Foreign Ministers consultative meeting held on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) meetings did not witness any Arab-Arab differences, said Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher, adding there was even concurrence of views and stands.

In press statements following the meeting late Tuesday, Maher said that Egypt's stand did not change after President Hosni Mubarak's statements, noting Egypt is for fighting terrorism with regard to the international legitimacy and without harming civilians. This is the Egyptian stand today and tomorrow, said the foreign minister.

On the possibility of extending the US-led strikes to some Arab countries, Maher wondered whether anyone could approve dealing strikes to any Arab country.

Our information is that this would not happen, and we will never accept it, Maher stressed vehemently. He added that consultations will take place with Islamic countries in Wednesday's meetings.

Asked whether there are requests to condemn the Untied States, Maher said that "I didn't hear of any Arab country that requested condemning the United States over its support to Israel."

On evidence in Osama Bin Laden's case, Maher said Egypt had a good idea about some of the evidence in Osama Bin Laden's case, stressing that Egypt had not been informed of all evidence.

Regarding his expectations of the OIC emergency foreign ministerial meeting, slated for Wednesday, Maher anticipated the Palestinian question to top the agenda of talks followed by the stance against terrorism.