Ben Ali discussed with Mubarak preparations for convening the Arab summit

Tunisia's President Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali discussed in a telephone call with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak the preparations to convene the Arab summit as well as the situation in Iraq and the Middle East, according to an official source in Tunisia yesterday.

The two Presidents exchanged view points concerning " current consultations over preparations to convene the Arab summit " and dealt with " the grave development" taking place in the Middle East and Iraq, according to the official Tunisian news agency. This is, however the first talks between the Tunisian and Egyptian Presidents since postponing the Arab summit which Tunisia would have host on March 29 and 30.