AL chief discusses in Riyadh Iraq, the Palestinian question

The secretary general of the Arab League (AL) Amr Moussa on Friday in Riyadh discussed with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz the situation in Iraq and the Palestinian question, according to the Saudi official news agency.

The agency explained that Moussa and the Saudi crown prince reviewed current Arab conditions, especially the situation in Iraq and the Palestinian question. They also discussed means of carrying out a joint Arab action concerning the two said issues.

Earlier, upon leaving Cairo for Saudi Arabia, the AL chief said it is necessary that the US quickly implement to Road Map laid by the Quartet ( the USA, the UN, the European Union and Russia) concerning the Middle East which in particular states the foundation of a Palestinian state before the fall of year 2005.

On Thursday, the US Secretary Of State Colin Powell stressed Washington's readiness to interfere with greater effort in the Middle East through giving a push forward to the Road Map which the US is linking to the formation of a Palestinian government chaired by Mahmoud Abbas.

American officials announced on Friday that Powell will hold as from May 1 a tour on the Middle East to cover, Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria.