Arab League Supports Proclamation of Palestinian State

Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid reiterated on Sunday the AL's support for the announcement of a Palestinian state "as a legitimate right for the Palestinian people in light of the U.N. resolution 181 of 1947."

The remarks were made by Abdul Meguid before his departure to New York to participate in the meetings of the U.N. General Assembly's 53rd session.

Abdul Meguid told reporters all Arab states should make efforts to support the Palestinian position in the U.N. so as to obtain its place among other U.N. member states.

The announcement of the Palestinian state will top the issues to be discussed by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the head of the Security Council, and heads of foreign delegations on the sidelines of the assembly meetings.

Abdul Meguid said that U.N. resolution 181, which marked the birth of Israel, also stipulates the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to carry out counter measures, such as invading the liberated Palestinian territories.

For its part, the U.S. administration expressed concern over the possibility of announcing a Palestinian state.

Abdul Meguid said he would confer with Iranian foreign minister, the current chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), foreign minister of Burkina Faso, the current chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to coordinate stands among the three regional organizations.

He is also scheduled to visit Belgium after concluding his visit to New York to confer with the crown prince and foreign minister.