Arab summit to formulate Saudi ideas into initiative

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher described the upcoming Arab summit, to be hosted by Beirut on March 27-28, as a solid step on the path of Arab unity.

Replying to press queries Monday night, Maher said Egypt's priorities regarding the summit is foiling policies that seek to deprive the Palestinian people from realizing their aspirations and the liberation of all Arab territories via political and diplomatic action.

Events in Palestine augur ill for occupation, said Maher, adding that when the occupation feels endangered, it becomes more aggressive but cannot survive.

We are working for the establishment of a Palestinian state that would exist side by side with Israel, and the liberation of the rest of occupied Arab territories because this is the inevitable course of history.

Asked whether he felt the US restrains Egypt's foreign policy with regard to the Palestinian issue, Maher said he had never had that feeling either while serving as Egyptian ambassador to Washington or as Foreign Minister.

Egypt's policy, as outlined by President Hosni Mubarak, is quite independent, accepts no restrictions and works to serve issues of interest to Egypt and the Arab nation, Maher stressed.

Whether Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah's initiative would be turned into an Arab one, Maher spoke of "massive Arab support to the ideas presented by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah."

He voiced confidence that the summit "would formulate these ideas into an Arab initiative."