Doha conference is connected with peace progress, Arab League says

Arab League secretary-general Dr. Esmat Abdl Maguid, yesterday said he was ready to attend a controversial economic conference in Doha, Qatar, if substantial progress was achieved in the Middle East peace process.

Qatar plans to host this November the Middle East and North Africa conference (MENA) to which Israel is also invited. Some Arab countries have said they would boycott the annual event, previously convened in Morocco, Jordan and Egypt, in protest against Israeli anti-peace moves.

"I personally participated in similar economic conferences in Casablanca, Amman and Cairo when the peace drive was moving ahead," said Dr. Abdl Maguid.

He also added, the situation is now different as the peace process has no hold over the Israeli government's policies, Al Ahram daily said today.