Arab leaders will adopt brave stances in Beirut summit
In an exclusive remark to al Ahram, Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud said that the ongoing contacts preceding Beirut summit assert that the Arab leaders will adopt wise and brave stances.
-The outcome of the summit will represent a heading for the coming stage, and will be a significant turn in Arab action.
-There are no pressures whatsoever to reduce the level of representation at the summit, or to change the trend of the projected decisions to bring about just peace.
-There are a lot of contacts on various levels to lift the Israeli siege off President Yasser Arafat, and to let him attend the summit.
-We expect that such contacts will bear fruit, and we'll wait for his arrival till last 15 minutes prior to the opening session.
-All competent circles in Lebanon are getting ready to represent an honorable image to the Arab summit, and to create the adequate atmosphere for the Arab leaders.
-The convention of the Arab summit on the Lebanese territories gives assurance of the security and stability of Lebanon, and all measures are taken to ensure that the summit proceedings will be up to our aspirations, on both political and security levels.
-As Arabs, we adhere to the peace option and to our constants in respect of a just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of international decision and Madrid terms of reference.
-The recent Saudi proposal represents a fundamental axis in the coming summit, and it is based mainly on the Arab constants that do not deviate from just and comprehensive peace.
-The decision to hold the summit is an absolutely Arab option, and it is held on rotation basis, especially in the shadow of the current situation.
-Everyone aims at facing the existing situation, and taking decisions proportional to the volume and nature of the challenges.
-Regarding the recent UNSC resolution no. 1397, we believe that just and comprehensive peace is a strategic option, and such resolutions are apt to create a real peace, and to bring matters to the pre-June 1967 situation, and to a Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital.