Mubarak-Assad talks aim at crystallizing firm Arab stance

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Cairo today will give momentum to Arab action within the framework of the preparation for the upcoming Arab summit in Beirut alongside the Saudi initiative, said Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher.

Meanwhile, Syrian Information Minister Adnan Omran Tuesday underscored the importance of the visit due to be paid by President Bashar Al-Assad to Egypt Wednesday for talks with President Hosni Mubarak.

In statements to MENA, Minister Omran said that the visit falls within the context of exchanged trips by the Egyptian and Syrian readerships to serve the best interests of their states and of the entire Arab nation.

He asserted the necessity of this meeting at this particular timing especially in light of the present dangers besetting the Arab states. In addition it comes ahead of the upcoming Arab summit slated to open in Beirut late this month, he added.

Beirut summit would give the Arab leaders a chance to revise, readjust and reinvigorate inter-Arab relations so as to build a true Arab solidarity, Omran said.

He said that on top of the challenges to be addressed by the summit would be "the Israeli extermination policies against the Palestinians, the threat of a U.S. and British strike against Iraq and the Arab economic and political integration."