Mubarak's plan to reconcile Turkey and Syria

The Turkish Daily News said that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who will arrive today in Ankara will propose a three-stage plan to defuse the crisis between Syria and Turkey.

In its Monday's edition, the paper added that Mubarak will bring with him to Ankara several proposals, including a summit meeting between the leaders of Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The paper added that sources close to Syria said the president's absence from attending the celebrations of the Egyptian army day and his planned trip to Ankara in the same day reveals the grave situation between Turkey and Syria. According to the sources, the paper added, Egypt tries to defuse the tension and to settle the disputes by diplomatic means.

The paper continued that discussions are being made to convene meetings between the two sides in three phases, starting with the two countries's foreign ministers, then between the Prime Ministers of Syria and Turkey and lastly between the two Presidents. The last meeting will be attended by President Mubarak and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia.

The paper continued that the dispute between Turkey and Syria has united the Arab states against the Turkish position.