Lack of trust in inter-Arab relations weakens Arab position, Moroccan fm

"The trust crisis" which marks inter-Arab relations and the differences opposing certain Arab states contribute to weakening Arab position and adversely impact inter-Arab solidarity and joint action, Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, said on Monday.

Benaissa made the statement to MAP news agency in Cairo after the extraordinary meeting in Cairo of the Arab League Council.

The meeting was very important, as it was convened in a crucial juncture in the Middle East, he said, adding the meeting was marked by boldness and was a starting point for a new Arab joint action based on realism.

The Arab League Council decided to reactivate Arab joint action, particularly in economic realms, which are, he said, the basis for Arab solidarity.

The Cairo meeting also decided to devise an action plan, to be submitted to the coming Arab summit, due next March in Manama (Bahrain), said Benaissa, adding the plan takes into account the challenges of globalization and of the proliferation of regional economic and political groupings in the world.

The Moroccan official recalled, in this connection, Morocco's initiative to create a free trade area with Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt. The zone is open to other Arab states, particularly those having association accords with the European Union, namely Algeria, Lebanon and Syria (later).