Egypt to host delayed meeting of Arab FMs

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa has asserted that the Arab foreign ministers' emergency and consultative meeting will be held on January 24 in Cairo.

In press statements he made in Cairo on Sunday, Moussa added that coordination is being made with the secretary general of the Arab League and the Arab foreign ministers in preparation for holding the meeting. The Egyptian FM stated that within this framework consultations were made on Saturday at the ministerial level between Egypt and several Arab states' foreign ministers.

For his part, Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid has asserted that the Arab consultative meeting of foreign ministers will be held on January 24. The Arab league said it decided the postponement of an earlier scheduled meeting at the request of some Gulf States. Iraq condemned the league's decision and termed it as a "dangerous precedent."

In a press conference he held in Cairo on Sunday, the AL chief added that Kuwait formally told the AL on Sunday of its agreement to attend the meeting.

Abdul Meguid noted the good opportunities available for convening an Arab summit but with a good preparation as "a main condition" for holding such a summit. He continued that intensive deliberations concerning this proposed summit are being made currently between the Arab states.

Regarding the solidification in the peace process Abdul Meguid said, "We're worried about the current solidification, and the Palestinian side is exerting all efforts." He added that the Israeli prime minister is the one to be blamed for obstructing the peace process and that the United States must move to advance the process.

We do not object to the convening of a pan-Arab summit. However, plenty of preparation is needed to bring out concrete results. Failing preparations, the outcome will be nothing but more divisions in the Arab ranks.

It is important for Arab Foreign Ministers to meet, first, to set the agenda of the topics to be dealt with.

I believe an emergency summit should be convened to discuss one single topic. Two at the most. Still sound preparation is an important element, here, as well.