Baz says Arab nation facing serious challenges at present

Egyptian Presidential Adviser Osama Al-Baz said on Saturday the Arab nation is facing serious challenges at the time being and this needs consultations among Arab leaders.

In statements in Sharm El-Sheikh, Baz said the meeting between President Hosni Mubarak, Syrian President Bashar Assad and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz is meant to exchange viewpoints regarding the challenges facing the Arab nation.

On Israel's response to contacts on calming down the situation in the Palestinian lands, Baz said the Israelis say they have a tendency towards self-control.

He denied there were any pressures on Arab states to accept the proposed international peace conference.