Arab League still undecided on Mena

Dr. Esmat Abdel Maguid, the secretary-general of the Arab League said yesterday his participation in a controversial regional economic conference in Doha this month depended on progress in Arab-Israel peace talks.

"I've received an invitation to participate this conference....my participation depends on achieving substantial and tangible progress in the peace process," Dr. Esmat Abdel Maguid told reporters.

Maguid said the AL attended the previous three conferences in Morocco, Jordan, and Egypt because the peace process was still moving ahead, Al Akhbar daily said today. Israel is invited to the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) economic conference, a fact which has brought controversy to the conference.

"But now the peace process is in a complete halt, if not collapsing," he said. Abdel Maguid said his decision was in compliance with a consensus reached by Arab foreign ministers last month that their attendance depend on progress in peace efforts.