AL chief to discuss Middle East peace with UN secretary general

Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid has stated that he will discuss the Middle East peace process with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The two officials will meet to discuss the stalemated Middle East peace process, the Turkish - Israeli alliance, the Iraqi crisis and the Lockerbie question.

In a statement to the Kuwaiti daily al-Qabas issued on Monday, Abdul Meguid added that he will meet with a US official and the current president of the UN Security Council during his visit to New York to attend the current meetings of the UN General Assembly.

He added the Arab foreign ministers will hold a meeting to maintain consultations on Turkey's position concerning Arab relations.

The UN chief added that among the priorities of the meeting, with the Turkish foreign minister is a follow-up on the Turkish position and to warn against the adverse consequences of the Turkish - Israeli alliance. Meguid said, "Our message to Turkey is crystal clear." It is a Muslim and neighboring state with which, he said, "we hope," will establish good relations with all the Arab states

On the announcement of the Palestinian state and the support of the Arab League for that, the AL chief said that the AL will ask the UN General Assembly to issue a resolution which protects this announcement. He added that Israel cannot oppose the decision on the partition of Palestine, issued by the UN in 1947 under resolution no. 181 providing for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The decision ensures the Palestinians' right to establish their own independent state. Israel cannot object to this resolution that provides for its establishment, he said.