AL secretary conditions participation in Doha conference on progress in peace

Arab League Secretary General Ismat Abdul Maguid said that Arab participation in the Doha economic conference hinges on achieving substantial and tangible progress in the Middle East peace process on all tracks.

The AL chief commended efforts exerted by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to revive the peace process which has deteriorated due to Israel's continued settlement activities. A statement by the foreign ministers also welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's position that the "land for peace" principle agreed upon at 1997 Arab Israel peace conference in Madrid should be the basis for peace talks.

The foreign ministers also said earlier that Israeli policies jeopardized the success of the Middle East and North Africa economic conference (MENA) due to be held in Doha, Qatar in November. Abdul Maguid said that Albright had not put pressure on Arab States to urge them take part in the Doha conference, during her tour in the Middle East.