Ruggiero, Moussa probe Mideast, Int'1 scenes

Italian Foreign Minister Renato Ruggiero Thursday said he held important talks with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, especially on the need to combat terrorism. Addressing a joint press conference with Moussa, the Italian official said the Arab League's stance is very important as international terrorism "is a threat to us all.

The current military move is only part of a comprehensive strategy that includes political, economic, financial and legal aspects which are all very important, he emphasized. He underlined the importance of improving relations in the Middle East and resuming negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

The two sides should start serious negotiations that would lead to the establishment of the Palestinian state and guarantee the security of Israel and all the Arab countries, he added.

Talks with Moussa covered Middle East relations and the declaration of a cultural agreement between the northern and southern parts of the Mediterranean, he said. Talks dwelt on the Arab League's participation in the upcoming Euro-Mediterranean meeting, to be held in Brussels on November 4-5, which will discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the European Union and the Arab League.

On Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's latest statements which disparaged the Islamic culture, Ruggiero said his premier was citing the ongoing controversy in Europe on the anti-globalization campaign and had expressed his opposition to that campaign in public.

He emphasized that Berlusconi has been and is still a friend of the Arab leaders and people.

Berlusconi stressed so many times that there should not be anything that might stir a religious or cultural war, said the minister.

So, I believe that the whole issue was no more than a misinterpretation. He said the US and Britain are doing their best to avoid any dire consequences or unacceptable impact on the Afghan people under the ongoing military strikes. He wished the losses would be as few as possible.

'We are waiting to see what will be the developments and the Afghan stance in what regards a proposed truce,' he added.

Moussa said he and Ruggiero pored over all issues of concern to the two sides. This included the situation in the Middle East, the challenge to the Islamic civilization, the Arab-European cooperation, and the forthcoming Euro-Mediterranean conference in Brussels, added Moussa. The talks were positive and constructive, said Moussa.