Arab League objects to Mauritanian foreign minister's visit to Israel

The Arab League objected to the visit paid by Mauritanian Foreign Minister Cheik El Afia Ould Mohammed Khouna to Israel.

An Arab League official source told ArabicNews.com that the visit contradicts the resolutions of the Arab League's ministerial council and the resolutions of the Arab summit held in June, 1996.

The source added that the visit sent the whole world the message that relations and the situation between the Arabs and Israel are fine, while the agreement signed between Israel and Palestine is unimplemented.

The Arab League accused Mauritania of taking a sudden step and of being in an unnecessary rush that should not be followed by other steps to raise the level of representation between the two countries during the visit.

Israeli Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon did not meet with his Mauritanian counterpart, claiming that he had caught a cold.