We call for a more fair American role

Egypt's Foreign Minister Maher expressed hope that Washington would play a more active and fair role supportive for Palestinian rights.

Is statements to the press Maher said the Beirut summit is held to reaffirm Arab rights, "this is our permanent goal and we try to find a new way to achieve it," he said.

Having Arab leaders meet regularly is in itself an important progress, he added.

Asked if the Saudi initiative featured as a main axis in this summit and whether there would be mechanisms to implement it on the ground, Egypt's top diplomat said this is what Arab leaders will discuss in their summit.

Asked on reports circulated that the U.S. asked Arabs to approve the Saudi overture as an eventually Arab one, Maher made it clear that Washington had nothing to do with what Arab states endorsed. If the U.S. supports that Saudi plan, this is a very good thing, given that it is an Arab initiative and will remain to be so.